Hornsounder: July 2007 Edition

[Mystica]

 

Welcome to this month's edition of the Hornsounder!

 

Dear Hornsounder Reader,

 

For some of us Summer still hasn't arrived full throttle and for others it's almost over already. Some have enjoyed a nice break from work and others are still smirking and flaunting their free time around. Whatever your situation though, the Hornsounder is here to offer you either a retreat from work or to fill up all that free time you have on your hands.

 

I'm particularly happy to find this Edition once again filled with articles of almost every ORG out there and am especially happy to announce the arrival of the Wagons of the Tuatha'an to our newspaper! Check out what this fabulous ORG has to offer and what their events and activities have been this month in the Dragonmount Section!!

 

Grab something to drink and to munch and fight off everyone from your comfy chair and get ready for a good read, laugh, excitement and interesting 'know-its'.

 

Enjoy your Hornsounder,

Mystica

EiC

 

 

JoTS Winner of the Month. 

 

This month's topic was: The Infantry.

 

And the winner: Executive Officer and Blademaster Taymist of the Infantry!

 

Congratulations, Tay :)

 

The winning JoTS:

 

The Proud Stand

 

We're Infantry and proud we stand

Beside our brethren of the Band

Renowned we are throughout the land

As we dance with Jak o' the Shadows

 

Now drinking is a real fine art

The Infants always first to start

From the Tav they're loathe to depart

'Cept to dance with Jak o' the Shadows 

 

 

July's Headlines!

 

As our regular readers have come to know, the Hornsounder is divided into Sections, each handling a part of the newspaper and housing specific topics. I give you now a summary of what you can find in each Section.

You may find the parts you're interested in quickly by scrolling to the Sections, which are clearly marked by their own Header like the one you see here on top. Subsections within can be recognised by their Blue color and, therefore, are equally easy to recognise. To help you find your field of interest even faster, in the Headlines below you will find the page on which each Section is located.

 

In the Editorial Section (way at the end of the Hornsounder) you can find out everything about the Hornsounder itself. What it is, how it works, who the slaving mad people are that make sure you get your newspaper full of interesting stuff each month and how YOU can be a part of it all too.

(pg 3)

 

The Band of the Red Hand Section brings you the Word from our Marshall-General, introduces the Band's current Active Members, provides the results of the Band's Lottery , Apollo's Music Wisdom guides you through the Real Life News from our Banders, their birthdays and travels.

(pg 1)

 

The Regimental Section will effectively still your hunger for knowing what's been up with the Archers, Cavalry +and Infantry this month. Check up on the antics of the Recruits while they visited every Regiment, whether a new Knight or Lady has been raised, if the Infantry gained a new Morat or maybe a new Blademaster even. Who might become the Archers' first Assassin??

(pg 1)

 

In the Raw Recruits Section, our newest Executive Officer, La Brain Rummager Extraordinaire herself, Blademaster Taymist, will fill you in on the latest updates on our Recruits and present you with the Recruit of the Month.

(pg 1)

 

In the Redarms Section you will meet our brand new Redarm Leader and his RAZIC (Redarm 2nd in Command, gotta' love those abreviations). A new team of law enforcers have arisen and already spotfines are flying all over the place.

(pg 1)

 

The Specials Section brings you a nice little collection of Columns and stories that will make you sit up and scream for more. Sadly though, due to a necessary LOA, there is no Orange Advice from Sir Horn this month but our MG is back with his Recommendations and will make you drool all over your keyboard for Florence. Those who read last month's Edition have been introduced to 1001 Infantry Nights and will undoubtedly be ready to tear out their hair for the next part. Well, leave your hair where it is for this month, we are immersing you in not 1 but 2 (read them.... two!) chapters of this fantastic story .

(pg 1)

 

A collection of Raw Recruit Articles will have you nailed to your seat from start to finish and Arrandion's Infantry Bear article will take you to worlds of legend and history.

(pg 2)

 

Entertainment is the spice of Life! Or was it variety? Who cares... Get those braincells to work and claim those prizes! Join in on the Competitions and see if you too can claim winner status in the Scavenger Hunt, Word Scramble or are a wizard at Sudoku! This month's Caption Contest is presented by Anigrel for those extra creative minds that feel up to the challenge of putting thought and words to a picture!

(pg 2)

 

The free standing Games on the other hand, offer a nice warm up for those that need it or a fun way of passing the time in those dead hours between earning points for your promotions.

If you played the ones from last month and want to find out how well (or badly) you did, you'll find the correct answers here too. Taymist's Crossword, Kara's Arrowwords and DJ's easy and medium level Sudoku games will have those braincells challenged properly and keep the cobwebs out!

(pg 2)

 

Check our Banders' Jokes collection or, if you're really brave, have a looksy at this month's Horoscopes presented once more by our lovely Archer CG, Amavia!

(pg 2)

 

Dragonmount, our home. Get the inside story of the first ever EUROMEET 2007!! Corki and Talya reveal all (or almost all). Find out the latest news that was reported to Hornsounder about your ORG and those ORGs you don't know yet. We have news from almost every ORG and would like to extend a specially warm welcome to a new addition to our newspapers as the Wagons of the Tuatha'an join our monthly editions!

(pg 2)

 

Don't know the difference quite yet between the two sides? Well, our lovely Nyneave explains it in ways everyone can understand!

 

Last but most definitely not least: Wheel of Time Section! Find out the latest news on our beloved author, Robert Jordan. Get up to date on the status of his health as well as on the books. Read all about the topic of conversation, turmoil, uproar from DM this month!

(pg 3)

 

So, there you have it folks. I hope you will enjoy this month's Edition of your Hornsounder thoroughly and if you have any ideas or suggestions that might make your Hornsounder Experience even more fun, don't hesitate to let us know.

 

Or maybe you too want to try your hand at being a reporter?

There's room in the Hornsounder for everyone, so don't let those doubting demons get the best of you. Jump right in and contact me through pm with any ideas for articles and/or projects you may have!

 

Until next month,

 

Mystica,

Editor in Chief

[Mystica]

 

 

Word from the M-G

 

Firstly, a warm welcome to everyone reading the latest edition of the Band's newspaper, The Hornsounder. A lot of time and effort has been spent by The Hornsounder team in the Band and other ORGs to write the articles, and by Mystica, the Editor, to put it all together, so sit back and enjoy the work and dedication of The Hornsounder team.

 

Now, just news in brief about Band activities during the month of July:

 

- July has been a month that has set a new milestone for the Band. With new members continuing to sign up for the Raw Recruit Scheme, the Band now totals over 200 members to have signed up for our private boards at DM, cementing our place as the second largest ORG at DM. And we hope this number continues to grow in the months to come.

- Each term (i.e. every two months) within the Band, we run a series of fun competitions to find out which of the three Regiments is the best, with points being awarded. This all leads up to our end of year Awards Ceremony, The Matrims. The May-June period saw two exams, with the Infantry winnings the Bel Tine Festival (games based on our ORG Game and Dice Roller) during May, and the Cavalry winning the Music Anagrams competition during June. All 3 Regiments are fighting hard with July's 20 questions competition. Look out for the results next month.

- Being the music ORG of DM, and as part of our shift to get music discussions going at DM, several interesting threads have appeared on DM, which Banders are actively participating in. Every month, we pick an artist to be our Artist of the Month. Currently, it is David Bowie, championed by BridMorgan. Click here to join in the fun. Other topics being discussed are Film Music, TV Theme Music and what sort of music system you have. All threads are open to everyone, so feel free to come by and join in.

 

So, having read some of the activities the Band gets up to, you want to know more about the ORG? As already mentioned, one of our ORG focus is music, and our other focus is travel. Banders are regularly writing reviews about any music album they own, whether it be old or new, as well as any gigs and concerts they have been to and various locations around the world they've visited. Responses to these reviews are encouraged, which gives Banders points, and these points allow for promotion through the many ranks in the Band. This is the basis of the ORG.

 

When you first join up with the Band of the Red Hand, you become a Raw Recruit. During this time, you experience life with each of the three Regiment (Archers, Cavalry, Infantry) and the Band itself as well so you get to know how the ORG works, and you don't get lost in your early days in the Band. After your three weeks of completing various tasks as a Recruit, you then pick the Regiment you wish to join and thus become a fully fledged member of the Band of the Red Hand. Also, once you picked your Regiment, you will be guided to become an Infantry Blademaster or a Knight of the Cavalry or an Assassin within the Archers.

 

However, the Band is not all about work. We have many fun activities going on within the ORG, ranging from simple word games to our ORG Game, created by Canis Rufus with the help of Mallett. Everything is based on the luck of rolling dice, so build up your stats to give yourself the chance of getting better rolls! Once you've taken the seven easy lessons, you can then challenge any Bander to a duel in the Arena and bring great glories to your name! Look out for Festivals of Games as another way to bring glory to your name! We are the only ORG to gamble as well, so create a Bank Account and join in the Lottery to earn some big winnings just like Mat!

 

As you can see, the Band is a place with a variety of activities, hopefully catering for everyone's needs. There are various activities for those who want points to go up the ranks, or fun and games for those who want to socialise. The Band is open to everyone, so come and join the fun at the best ORG at DM!

 

Corki,

Marshall-General BoTRH

 

 

 

The Band's Lotto Winners - June

(By Bridmorgan)

 

All I have to say this month is WOW!! Ok, I lied, that's not all I have to say, but what a great turnout for the Lottery!! Not only did we have a large amount of Banders play the Lottery, but his Pinkness won a whopping 27 Lotto chips! Now I still stand by my original article, and think he rigs it somehow, but I'll let it go. After all, he does make me snort beverages out my nose with his posting.  ;D Not many people can do that! So without grossing you out further, here are your Lottery Winners for June!

 

 

June Lotto Winners

 

Footy - 27

K'Jar - 12

Nighty - 11

Tay - 10

Brid - 9

Manny - 9

Kara - 8

Twin - 8

Talya - 6

False - 5

Arra - 4

Froix - 4

Corki - 2

DJ - 2

Jack - 2

Toy - 2

 

Let's keep up this great turnout! It's a lot more fun to tally up the winnings if there is more of them!   ;)

 

 

Music makes the Brew go 'round

(by Apollo)

 

Hello, one and all! I'm very, very sorry that I haven't written for the past two months, but I've been incredibly busy as of late and just never had the time. I hope you'll forgive me.

 

The Good, and the Bad

 

The Good:

 

Damon Albarn - I recently had the opportunity to check out his newest project, "Monkey: Journey To The West." Yet again we see that Damon, who can be an unpleasant fellow, is, quite simply, a musical genius. Even more so when he's got Tony Allen and Paul Simonon helping him out (The Good, The Bad, and The Queen). And "Monkey" was really fantastic, better than most anything you'll see on Broadway or in the West End these days. If you get a chance, you have to go see it.

 

Paul Weller - People who know me will know that I love Paul beyond all measure, and so this isn't exactly unbiased, but the supergroup he has formed with Graham Coxon, Mani, and Zak Starkey is simply brilliant. Find them on YouTube, it's a great tune.

 

Bono - He's been quiet. That's the best thing out of him I've heard in years.

 

The Bad:

 

Live Earth - Also known as Al Gore's continuing effort to be even slightly relevant. Though many won't think so, those of us with taste who watched even a small part of that concert know that it was really, really awful. The only bright spots of the entire deal were Kasabian, who always put on a brilliant live show, and the Foo Fighters, who, again, are fantastic live performers. Other than that, there was nothing worth even flipping on the telly for. Fall Out Boy? John Mayer? Black Eyed Peas? Nope, nothing worth the power requirements and ultimate damage to the environment caused by the concerts. How wonderful is this? An attempt to change the world and stick it to soulless, hypocritical politicians is itself completely hypocritical and worthless. Good show, Mr. Gore, good show.

 

Sting - Just because I can, and because he's worthless.

 

Album of the Month

 

Editors - "An End Has A Start"

 

Now, I know that most of the music critics out there slammed this record for being "too similar" to their first one. I don't care, I still love it. It's got everything the first album had, plus a bit more energy and some better lyrics. "Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors" is an absolute cracker, the perfect song to get going to. So, no matter what Q or the NME say, check this album out, because for people like me, it's really, really good.

 

Honourable Mentions: "We Are The Night" by The Chemical Brothers, "Country House, City Mouse" by Josh Rouse.

 

 

Banders' Real Life happenings

(coordinated by Mystica)

 

Saturday Wedding CONGRATULATIONS HELTOR HELTON!!!

(by Heltor Helton)

 

It started out like any other Saturday, but today was different. We were at her father’s house, and it was beautiful and sunny out side.  The wind was blowing, so it wasn't too hot. What does it really matter?  It could have been raining hammers and I still would have been happy.

 

The pastor told us to join hands, and when we did, I felt so stiff.  What was I supposed to do?  I was nervous. Now, usually I'm a solid guy and don't wear my emotions for the world to see, but when the pastor started talking I had to swallow the lump in my throat.   This wasn't the most formal of weddings to start with. I was wearing jeans and a polo shirt that was brown with greenish brown horizontal strips. She was wearing a knee length skirt/dress thing that was orange, brown, yellow, red, and white. Once the ceremony got underway, and we got to the part where the pastor asked my wife, "Do you Ashley take Eddie to be your lawfully wedded husband through sickness and health, through poverty and wealth, from the sadness that will darken your way and the happiness that brighten your days, do you so promise?" and instead of saying, "I do" she said, "I do so promise." Then with a dumbfounded expression, she looked at me and asked, “Is that what I was supposed to say?" At the time, I wasn’t sure if it was because I was up there or if it was because it really was so short, but it seemed like it only lasted three minutes. My wife and I opted to not have the ring exchange because this was pretty much spur of the moment and I didn't have the wedding band.  Even without the ring exchange, it was still a great day. My best man was Jordan Sielert. He is a Marine and wasn't going to get to participate, but now that we pretty much eloped, he got to at least sign the license.  His signing the license meant a lot to me. Our flower girl was my wife’s male cousin Jackie Smith.

 

To end the ceremony we had cake that I helped my wife eat, but I didn't do that great of a job as you will see in one of the pics that I added. That was how my wedding went and I wanted to share it with my fellow banders. Now I would lie and tell you that you will see more articles from me but you probably won’t see too many from me. But I hope you enjoyed hearing about my special day as much as I did telling you about it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding Announcement!! Congratulations and manny happy years Faile1987 !!

 

Our MG found out that our Cavalry lady Faile will be marrying her fiancé on 10 August 2007 !!

 

We all wish her a fantastic wedding, a spectacular honeymoon and the best of luck in this union for the rest of their lives!

 

Change of birthday - be warned!

(by Dicetosser)

 

OK well we all know that this is Harry Potter month. Well im making my 10 yr old daughter take me to the movie.

 

And so u all know my Birthday has been moved for this year. It is normally the 21st but this year, because I'll kill anyone who disturbs me from the new HP book, its the 22nd!

 

 

The Graspop Metal Meeting 2007

(by Chaelca)

 

Graspop is a huge metal festival. It happens in Belgium in Dessel. See their myspace

 

I manage to get a ticket for the three days, which included 3 crazy nights of camping.

 

here is the bands that played :

 

*ABOUT THE BANDS*

 

Well i didnt manage to hear/see them all ... The weather was really bad and it was hard to wake up early enough to go to the festival field for the first bands.

 

None of the bands i heard was bad ... only Epica who must have suffered of sound problems. I won't explain the style of each band, I inserted myspace links. I'll just speak about the quality of the show.

 

--> female bands

within temptation : really nice gig even if it was in the rain.  The singer has a really good voice and she has a nice connection with the public.

epica : bad show, couldn't hear the voice of the singer

sirenia : not bad, interesting band I didnt know

 

--> headlist

Aerosmith : well it was exactly what i expected ... Steven had even a crazy outfit lol

ozzy and Iron Maiden : nice band, not much to say ! they kicked wobbly

 

--> others who kicked wobbly

papa roach : old rock but the guy gave everything he had ... even crawled on the stage in the rain !

sabaton

gravedigger

korn

heaven&hell : that s the band of dio (the one in the Jack Back movie pick of destiny

stone sour : most of the song on the last album are quiet soft but here, it was only the heaviest that were played + though the glass ... it s quite interesting to see the singer of slipknot singing softer songs

cannibal corpse : I though I would be disappointed bad that barbarian band but it was one of the best ... really good quality for their life show 

dimmu borgir : one of the best show ! (my second favorite) there was a real connexion between the band and the audience

lamb of god

slayer

children of bodom : a really great show for the one who likes ofc, such as me

hammerfall

amon amarth : i discovered this band on the graspop... the show was awesome and started with a viking fight !

finntroll : polka metal

chimaira

eluveitie : another band of polka metal ... we were dancing like celtes during the show. was pretty awesome

 

*THE FESTIVAL*

It was well organised with 4 differents stages, the main one outside and 3 others under huge tents.

 

The camping was separated from the festival grounds but not too far(10 min walk). U could eat and drink whatever u want, even noodles, ice cream, french fries but also pizza or pasta. The beer was less expensive than water and soft drinks.

 

so there was 85.000 people with more than half tickets sold abroad

so we had (to the less numerous to the more) : swedish, english, german, french, belgian, dutch people

 

There was also a nice metal market with band accessories and metal/goth clothing. Thats how my bf found matching rings and how he asked me to become his fiancée  ;D

 

*THE CAMPING*

Have u ever seen an ocean of igloo tents ? 26.000 tents were gathered LOL. We had to fight to get a nice camping spot not too far from the bathroom but not too close either  ;D and a spot near an alley ... i didnt want to have people tripping on the tent during the night. We managed to find a nice place near an ice cream van.

Sleeping was impossible as

1) we were drunk

2) every body around was

During the 3 nights, the big fashion was to scream silly stuff non stop... and those stuff for the GMM 2007 were :

TIMMMMMEEEEEEEHHHH ! (yeah the guy from southpark)

HOOOEERRRRREUUUUH ! (dutch but i can't translate coz of the words filter  ;D)

A POIIIIIIIIIIL (get undressed in french)

 

 

Guardian Angel or Dumb Luck?

(by Mystica)

 

yesterday (5th July), the apartment next to mine burned out, which was kinda' a shock getting home to. I have absolutely no clue how it was possible, but I have no damage at all. None. Which is a miracle, since the wind was such that it was perfect for the fire to spread to my apartment. It had already begun eating away the wall that seperated the two apartments.

 

I'm still not too sure how I feel but shock is what comes closest. Even when you're being as careful as you can be, you can still come home and find you don't have a home anymore. The man had left his fryer on the stove apparently.

 

Was surreal seeing all those firemen, police men and medics.

 

 

Star Trek Marathon!

(by Mystica)

 

So I ventured into the world of online buying and found myself at this really cool place called www.play.com (courtosy of a colleague of mine) and what do you know??? I found the entire 7 seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation for a fabulous price!!!

 

I jumped into the deep end and decided to take a chance and made the necessary things on the net and low and behold... 5 days later, i'm the proud owner of no less than 42 dvd's!!

 

Yeah yeah, I know, it's not exactly Culture with a capital C. It's Fun with a capital F !

 

I saw all these episodes at least 7 times on TV but never in sequence from start to finish. It's so cool to be able to do that!! Alright, so that may be pathetic, but hey..... Blessed Be The Simple of Minds, right? Or what that the Simple Minds? Used to have a crush on Jim Kerr..... crooked eyes and everything.

 

Anyheu! Just finished my first 8 !! episodes and can't wait to start the next 8! In fact... I'll go do that right now!!

 

*hits the 'engage' button*

 

Toedles!

 

 

China gave my brother back!

(by Taymist)

 

Just like to share that my younger brother, Stuart, is home from his work in China at the moment and I get to spend the day with him tomorrow (21st July). Yeayyy!! I haven't seen him since last July so its going to be great fun catching up.   ;D

 

 

My Fella!

(by KaraJ)

 

My fella has got the job he went for, it's the same as he does now, but for a lot more money and the option of going on pre-paid courses to boost his qualifications, something that his old job couldn't or wouldn't offer!  ;D

 

 

Banders' Birthdays

(by Mystica)

 

This month saw a whole line of birthdays! So don't forget to tacklesmooch them right into next week when next you see them, in case you didn't already.

 

Now we know, we don't nééd an excuse to party, but it sure is nice to have one and boy, did we have several this month! And of course we weren't about to let this pass without taking FULL advantage of it. Brew was downed faster than one can say lilliputer and the art of zigzagging was re-invented and brought to new heights!

 

Congratulations and Manny happy returns to:

 

K'Jar

Lord Rayden

Safia

Kristine

Mushu

Steel Axe

Dicetosser

Gaul

Malin

 

 

 

[Mystica]

Bander's travels

(by Arrandion)

 

In this issue we have 5 traveling Banders.

 

First one is Nyneave who wrote a report about stying in town of Eilat in Israel. We learnt a big deal about pros and cons. Here they come :

 

1. Hotels in Eilat are naturally over priced as Israelis are quite the thieves - Nyneave suggests to avoid all the main hotels, One of the smallish motels in the center of the city would do, as you will be spending most of the day outside. In case you like camping you can always set up a tent on the beach - it's quite common practice there :-)

 

2. Attractions : the red sea and the beach, loads of fishes and corals, a lot of diving action, there is the dolphin reef where cute little dolphins swimming about, you can swim with them too, or feed them ! (have to buy food of course)  and under-water observatory with some nice activities there.

 

3. For a bit of romance one can visit - beautiful spa (or kind of) where you can swim in one of 3 pools filled with sweet water, the Red Sea Water, and one filled with the Dead Sea water. There are nice huts built next to the beach. Everything is candle lit, there's wine, orange juice and most importantly, cookies! Very romantic setting and very relaxing. Nyneave personally gave her stamp of approval on that place.

 

4. There are A LOT of pubs and clubs especially on the beach. It's a wonderful setting, especially at night. The prices are a bit expensive, but you can't bring in booze that was previously acquired without getting booted from the place. Our Bander have to try ;-) Nice beach pub would be one named Papaya or Green Beach. Both quite cozy. Another place is this pub/club called the Three Monkeys. It's smallish but usually has a live band and all in all is a really cute place. Mostly for dancing though, as you can't even hear yourself think in it with the loud music.

 

As you can see the place is quite nice and not so expensive if you know where to stay ;-)

 

Second report comes from Anigrel Tavadon - who takes us to the place where he grew up and now uses it as a holiday place.

 

In a small part of Northern Aroostook County, in Maine, there is a town called Madawaska. If your lucky enough you may be able to rent a cabin on Madawaska lake for part of the summer. Anigre's grandparents used to own a camp up there, and those were the best summers he's ever had.

 

The water was clean, and the lake was fed by a river and several springs. If you have kids it is a great place to learn to swim. It didn't get deep fast, so they could stay in a shallow area. Or if you went out a little farther it got deep enough for the adults to swim too. Or maybe your not a swimmer. Do you like to fish? Madawaska lake has a good fishing if you like trout. If your not a lake person, but love the outdoors. Maine is full of forests, hiking trails, and even a few Mountains. Pretty Much, Aroostook County is a laid back vacations spot. There's alot to do for the outdoors person, but it not a '' we have to be here by this time or the lines gonna be too long'' vacation. It's a great way to spend time as a family, and relax doing it.

 

Thrid short report comes from Lady Bridmorgan who went to lake Erie in Pennsylvania.

 

Erie, Pennsylvania...how does one describe a place that has become a beacon? To look out upon the lake is to be on the sea shore...it's never ending!

 

Brid went to the zoo in Erie. They have an amazing orangutan family there. Brid suppose you have to love apes and monkeys like she does...but seriously...look one of them in the eyes and tell me you aren't moved! So for those of you that might think of visiting western PA...check out Peach Street...it has all the good food...places she's never heard of and places we all have heard of! Applebees...Safari grill...if you get the surf and turf...about $50 a plate! Steak and Shake...!

 

And here comes Sora Helike ! Let's listen to her story.

(writen by Helike)

 

As a nature lover, I frequently go for walks along the Cuyahoga (meaning crooked in the Iroquois language) River in Kent. I tend to take it for granted, since it's only about 10 minutes from home, but there are a great many trails along its winding banks. The Cuyahoga River is also known as the burning river and actually helped spark the environmental movement in the late 60's after catching on fire (and NOT for the first time). Here's a link if you feel like learning a bit about it. http://www.clevelandmemory.org/SpecColl/croe/

 

However, in the last couple years, they've done quite a bit of cosmetic work in my area, from removing 2 dams to cleaning up the trails and replacing sections of boardwalk. They've also added a bunch of signs at key points with historical information. I was ecstatic. There is a lot of Native American and Industrial history in my little area of Ohio and especially along the banks of this sad, lamented river that is trying so hard to come back to life.

 

The area I frequent the most is in downtown Kent. I enjoy hanging out under the bridge... don't ask why. Maybe I was a troll in a past life. There is one particular spot with a new sign that I really enjoyed. It's called Brady's Leap.

 

Since you can't really read the story I'll brief it for you. There is a tiny village near me called Brady Lake. This plaque helps tell how it got its name. Apparently, in the late 1700's the government was "concerned" about Indian (native american) attacks in this area and they sent one Samuel Brady, an Army Ranger to investigate. Kidnapped and held hostage by resident Indians with good cause to want him dead, Captain Brady escaped as they prepared the fire they were going to burn him in. There ensued a great chase and Captain Brady made good his escape by leaping across the Cuyahoga in this very spot. Personally, I think he landed in the water.  Anyway, he then made his home on the bank of a small lake. Ergo, we now have Brady Lake, which was then called Brady's Lake and they even celebrate a festival in his honor. I don't attend. I don't like him very much. Here's a link to some of his history. If you read it, you'll fully understand why. http://www.cyberstation.net/~billk/captsambrady.html

 

Anyway, I truly love hanging out here. And here's a few more pics for you to enjoy.

A pic of the plaque with flood pictures at the old dam.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Helike_/misc089.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Helike_/misc087.jpg

 

What's left of the channel lock... (from the observation point)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Helike_/misc092.jpg

 

A chance met friend..

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Helike_/misc065.jpg

 

A bit of the newly redone walkway.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Helike_/misc107.jpg

 

From the bridge, looking in the direction of Brady's Leap

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Helike_/misc061.jpg

 

Under the bridge in the other direction. (the channel lock is to the left)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Helike_/misc085.jpg

 

Same side of the bridge but the channel lock is behind me now.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Helike_/misc091.jpg

 

The observation point with a bit of the Pufferbelly Restaurant in the pic.(Great food, great history there! The Pufferbelly is actually Kent's old train

 

station!)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Helike_/misc090.jpg

 

Last message comes from Arrandion.

 

If you like mountain/hill trail, good food and even better beer you should come and visit Bieszczady Mountains in Poland ! :-)

Here's my little presentation.

 

We took overnight train and then bus and after 21 hours we reached small village in south-east corner of Poland called Ustrzyki Gorne.

 

 

First view - our camping house.

 

It took as 2 hours to reach highland meadows from the valley we lived in. But it was worth it. The view was just splendid.

 

 

 

The air was so fresh that I could stay there forever. I have to mention nature as well - flowers and colors everywhere.

The trails are very good marked and varies from easy 2-3 hours trips to almost 8 hours walks. Do not worry you can always

travel a bit by train.

 

 

http://angielski.szczecin.pl/Arrandion/bieszczady/highland_4.jpg[/img]

 

Views where superb! We even spotted a deer !

 

The main part of each evening was beer drinking ;-) We cooled it earlier in the mountain stream.

 

http://angielski.szczecin.pl/Arrandion/bieszczady/highland_5_beer.jpg[/img]

 

Then we gathered around little candles and were talking about life and such ;-)

 

I have to mention food as well. For 3-5 euro (6 dollars) you could have a decent meal with a pint of awesome "Lezajsk" beer.

Tavern "Pod Carynska" was a good place to think and eat. Here I am thinking about my future ;-)

 

http://angielski.szczecin.pl/Arrandion/bieszczady/highland_8_think.jpg[/img]

 

Each day we were swimming in mountains stream. Nice and secluded places offered peaceful atmosphere.

 

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k54/Mystica_bucket/HS/0707/stream.jpg[/img]

 

On the last day we made 21 kilometers trip. I was dead tired but happy as hell but those views !

 

http://angielski.szczecin.pl/Arrandion/bieszczady/highland_9_halicz2.jpg[/img]

 

http://angielski.szczecin.pl/Arrandion/bieszczady/highland_2a.jpg[/img]

 

http://angielski.szczecin.pl/Arrandion/bieszczady/highland_2b.jpg[/img]

 

It was my second visit in Bieszczady Mountains. They are not high but still awesome. Trails are often full of friendly walkers who will share food and water if needed. All you need is a good pair of boots, backpack and friends - fun is guaranteed ! Prices are cheap. One night in the camping is like 4-9 euro (2 bed room). Food is like 10-15 euro per day. Traveling through the valleys (to reach other peaks) is 1-2 euro one way using private buses. The most expensive where train tickets - 120 euro both ways per person. I feel like going there again in the future.

[Mystica]

Ranking list of the Active Banders

(by Mystica, EiC)

 

The ranks you see are based on the earning of ORG points and are arranged top to bottom. The top 3 positions are what we call our 'Senior Staff' and they are permanent and not linked to any points. The points based positions are divided between 'Commissioned' (= Officers) and 'Enlisted' (= Non-Officers) and can be achieved by any Bander willing to put in the necessary work.

 

Our newest members, the Raw Recruits, are not in this list as they get a special mention in the Raw Recruits Section further in this paper.

 

A special note must be made on the return of our lost sheep. Mister Woodsy or Wolly or officially known as Woolhead. And boy, did we KNOW he was back!! Don't be surprised to find his name pop up in the regimental Sections, the Redarm Section ànd the Raw Recruit Section!

 

Welcome home, Canucklehead!!

 

This ranking is based on the last promotion round: 15 July 2007

 

Marshal-General: Corki

 

Under-Commander: F Horn of Valere

 

Executive Officer: Taymist

 

Commissioned Officers

 

Banner-Captains: Auld Manriva, Footman, Taymist, Mystica, Twinflower

 

Captains: Direwolf Jon

 

Lieutenant-Captains: Apollo277

 

Senior-Lieutenants: Steel Axe, BridMorgan, North Star, Kristine

 

Lieutenants : Froix, Vorkia, Helike, Katiora, Danya, Chaelca, Goldeneyes05, Amavia

 

Under-Lieutenants: Jeannaisais, Dragonlover, 12thRegiment, Lanette, Morrigan, Angyl, Dicetosser1, Nighteyes, Karaj

 

Enlisted

 

Master Sergeants: Kellan Kiri, A'iotanga, Arrandion, JimRaynor, Peck

 

Sergeants: Shadowhelm, Safia al-Maaz, Duinn, Stefania, Toy and Minion, Alishandra

 

Corporals: Gaul, SBoydW, Finn, TheMasterDude, Goldeneyes101/moose, Tigara, Nynaeve, Anigrel Tavadon, Jackdaw

 

Privates First Class: Loranflame, kait, False Dragon, Tiresias, Jadynalraimon, Talya, Dragon_Rider,

 

Privates: -

 

[Mystica]

The Org Game Update  

(coordinated by Footman/Deathdealer)

 

 

Org Game Update

 

Note from the Editor:

 

Our game reporters have been called away on a super secret, super mysterious, super far mission and we have not received any word of any of them. Now our loyal readers will know these aren't your average every day reporters, so the Light only knows what's up with them!

 

I just hope they haven't start killing each other off.... Footy, Footzee and Grim off on a quest? That's just asking for trouble...

 

Keep your lights burning and your prayers up, Folk. I got a feeling every little bit of help may be needed here....

 

Mystica

[Mystica]

 

 

Archers News - Straight from the Range

(coordinated by Amavia)

 

A new month and a new change in leadership, hopefully we will continue to move forward as we have over the pas few months!

The new Archer's Captain-General for this term will be Amavia, and she has chosen Northie and Helike as her Lieutenant-General and Banner-General.

 

Also Morrigan and Chaelca will be the Archer's RLO's so be aware of them Recruits.

As last we also have our archer Redarms, This month they will be: Dragonlover, Alishandra and Jadynalraimon!

 

Last but not least Morrigan has been chosen to be a Archer Greeter of the Dragonmount newbie boards... hopefully she will get us lots of new little recruits ;D

 

Recruits:

We have seen several recruits pass by our lovely range this month:

 

First of was Faelene, she amazed us al with her talent of fortune telling. We finally got answers to the questions that we’ve had for many years. Thanks very much for this Faelene!

 

Next up was Mat our lovely gambler! He opened up his very own gambling room and named it the Dice Cup Inn!  We al had lot of fun gambling and brawling in the inn.

 

Malin will be opening up his very own Archer Auction House very soon! I can’t wait to see what he will be selling :D

 

Demonspawn will be selling us a suitable pet when he opens up his very own pet shop!!

Can’t wait to get my very own puppy!!

 

Last but not least our old member Wooly arrived at the range as a recruit. He will be having a Jello wrestling match between sheet with the archers CG Amavia!

Steel Axe will be judging the match and provide everyone with brew and beverages.

 

Returning Archer:

Our lovely Archer Justin has returned to the Range once more. He will be going through our new  mentor programme and soon join us all in the ranks of assassin.

 

Archer of the month June:

The Archers had a little vote for who would be Archer of the month June.

Amavia finnaly won the poll, Congrats to her....uhhhmmm me :P

 

Schools:

 

As everyone knows the Archers have two schools in the Range. These schools are 'Blades school of Archery' and Helike’s school of Daggers. We have had a lot of recruits that earned medals.

These schools are open to every Bander. The games are fun and  easy to do, so I’d like to invite everyone over to the Range to see if you can beat the best score! Of course you will be rewarded with a lovely medal for playing the game.

 

The Archers March:

 

This month the Archers have stayed in Caemlyn due to lack of time and a lazy CG :D

We will be on the move very soon again though!

Next month we will be staying at a very dangerous and dark place..

 

All I am saying is pack up your lanterns and come with us in silence……

[Mystica]

From the Horse’s Mouth ~ News of the Calvary!

(By Sir Jon the Direwolf)

 

Greetings from the Yard!!

 

The Rider’s of the Storm have been very busy this July! There’s been a ton of posting, some raw recruits about, some have been involved with the monthly competition, and others have been taking part in various other things around the Band’s Camp. 

 

The Cav welcomed home some new members this month, Anigrel Tavadon and Auron.  Anigrel flew through his tasks and completed them ahead of schedule.  The Cav are happy to have him with us and we look forward to seeing what all he is capable of.  Auron came back from a leave of absence and he chose the Cav.  We in the Cav would like to wish Auron luck on completing his Page tasks.  Somewhere down the line these two will be Knights in one of the three orders.  Keep an eye out for both of them!

 

 

The Cav would like to offer congratulations to Sir Manny on becoming the new RAL of the Band.  Sir Manny chose Blademaster Ash to be his second in command.  This term looks like it might be interesting with this new leadership.  The Cav wish Sir Manny the best and raise their mugs to the new RAL.  Just remember when raising your mug, do not spill your brew! Congrats again Sir Manny!!

 

In other news:

 

The Cav’s Redarms have been pretty quiet this month.  Sir Steel has given out one spotfine for breaking the Band laws.  There seems to be less law breaking going on these days.  It must be fear of the new RA regime that is keeping the law breaking to a minimum.  The new RAL, Sir Manny has not had to step into a lot of trials or deal with challenges to many spotfines yet.  This might be good for the band but still you might want to think twice before breaking any band laws, or at least you will want a great defense. 

 

The beginning of the month brought six out of the very impressive sixteen promotions to the Cav.  Lady Twinnie was promoted from Captain to Banner Captain.   Sir Jon the Direwolf was promoted from Lieutenant-Captain to Captain. Page Toy and Minion was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant.  Pages Tigara, Nynaeve, and Anigrel Tavadon were promoted from Private First Class to Corporal. Congrats to all of you on your promotions for the beginning of the month!! The mid-month promotion period brought about something that I personally have never seen in my time with the band.  There were no promotions in the band at the mid month promotion period. 

 

The jousting challenge of the Band still has not been finished.  The finals are still up and ready to get underway.  Sir DJ is looking to get that moving and get it finished so he can declare the first ever winner of the Jousting Competition. The Cav would like to wish both Taymist and KaraJ the best of luck and we’re all looking forward to seeing an amazing joust! 

 

Congratulations go out to a few recruits: Wooly, Faelene, and Belar on receiving their Cavalry Achievement pins!

 

There were three birthdays celebrated in the Cav this past month.  Page Taliquemet had a birthday in the first week of the month. Born on the same day, two Sarmation knights share a birthday on the 21st, Sir Steelaxe and Sir Dice. The Cav would like to wish the three of you a happy birthday and hope that all three of you had a fantastic days filled with lots presents and cake and brew.  We in the Cav would like to say again, Happy Birthday and many happy returns!!

 

The Cav would like to congratulate Lady Twinflower!!  Lady Twinnie has been promoted to the highest rank in the band! She has worked hard during her time in the band to achieve the points needed to obtain this highly sought rank!  Twinnie became the fifth member in the Band to achieve this rank.  She joins Sir Manny as the only two in the Cav to be a Banner Captain.   Congrats again Twinnie, way to earn that top rank!!   

 

So there you have it….from the Horse’s Mouth for July!

 

 

Meet the Cav

(by Lady Bridmorgan)

 

Once upon a time, not so long ago a beautiful maiden....ok scratch that...I always wanted to start a story like that but it's not gonna work here. Anyways...once upon a time exactly a year ago, I found my way to DM and ultimately the Band. Wow! Has it been a year already? Oh yeah, where were we. I joined the Band back in July of 2006 and I haven't looked back. I have been a recruit, an RLO, an RA...oh the list goes on! So why don't I just start from the beginning.

 

I joined the Band, not exactly knowing what to expect, but I have never had more fun! I started off as an Archer recruit and had a blast. Cadsuane was my RLO at the time. I had to go through the Archer training, which I totally sucked at..(Thanks Tay!). For my original task, I had to help Shadowhelm put on a talent show...during that time I found out about a usurping planned by said RR and informed my RLO. The mayhem and mischief that ensued was so much fun!

 

Moving on from the Archers, I went to the Cavalry, where I knew I would always end up! Twinnie was my RLO then and what fun I had! I was a guinea pig for a new Scavenger Hunt. I had 12 clues and had to find the 12 people they went with! Has to be one of her best ideas as an RLO and let me tell ya, she's got some great ones! The Joust was awesome, I was pitted against Sheli and let me tell ya, she showed no mercy!

 

My last regiment was the Infantry where I had a BLAST! I had to hold a tray of Guinfantry every time I posted and anytime someone asked me for one, I had to give one to them in a unique way. I also had to interview the members of the Infantry. I found out a lot, possibly more than I ever wanted!

 

At the end, I did go home to the Cavalry and haven't looked back! After joining the Cavalry in August, I was asked to be RLO for Lady Twinflower in October and from there I have held one position or another. I have been a Red Arm, Banner General twice and currently I am Lieutenant General and an RLO of the Cavalry.

 

In my time with the Band I have made many great friends, and a few have blossomed into something a bit more. As a RR I met the person who would become my mentor, my confidant, my best friend and my Sister. That person is Taymist, Executive Officer of the Band. I first met Tay when we were both RRs. I asked her to make a sig for me and the rest is history! My first banding was with Tay. Then, together, we banded the irascible Pirate Manriva. He has become the brother I never had and he means more to me than he knows. My third banding was a surprise... a wonderful one though! K'Jar surprised me by asking me to band him on the boards and how could I say no to such a great guy? Plus he has Wilson....all kidding aside, he has been a great friend and I'd do it all over again! My fourth and final banding is with Sir Direwolf Jon, what can I say about DJ? We first met because of the Joust and a fast friendship soon ensued. He's probably the greatest thing that has happened to me at the Band.

 

In November of 2006 I became an Arthurian Knight and was presented with my warhorse Aragorn by my two bandeds Tay and Manny. One of the highlights of my time here! Boy is he gorgeous and come to think of it, at the rate it's going, Tay is going to ride him in more jousts than I have!

 

Another highlight of my time here in the Cavalry is receiving the Cavalry Regimental Award, given to me by my brother, who was the then Captain General of the Cavalry. I swear I couldn't stop smiling!

 

So who knows where the trail will take me in the future, but the road home always leads to the Cavalry.

 

 

Cavalry Pages

(by Sir Jon the Direwolf)

 

Our first two pages were mentioned last month, Toy and Minion and Nynaeve.  Both of them had some RL things come up and had to go on LOA’s during this month so they have unfortunately been able to progress more in the Page program and to take a step towards becoming knights.

 

One new page that we have this month is one of our current RLO’s, Anigrel Tavadon.  Anigrel has spent his time with the Templars so far.  Sir Manny gave him the task of writing a Hornsounder article about a famous cavalry member from the American Civil War.  This man was J.E.B. Stuart.  Anigrel will be finishing up his time with the Templars as this edition is being published and he will be moving on to spend a week with the oh so shiny Arthurians…ok, really the Arthurians are more than shiny, they are chivalrous. 

 

Our final page that we brought home this month is Auron.  After an LOA he spent his first week with those same Arthurians that Anigrel will be visiting soon.  Lady Brid and Sir Froix gave Auron a few small tasks to perform while spending time with them.  First Auron had to create a new booth at the Arthurian Faire that Lady Brid started herself when she was a page.  Auron chose to do a booth that rates bands on a scale of 1 to 10. All you do is give Auron the name of the band and he will rate them for you. Then he had to sign up for the Band’s lottery.  His final task was to ask Froix a few questions about himself.  As this edition is being published Auron will be moving onto his week with those chaotic, mischievous Sarmations.

 

Once again I would like to post the MIA list in the hopes that some will return to us!!  If any of you on this list would like to get back into the Cav to continue on your way to becoming a knight, please just send me a PM on the new DM boards.  I hope to hear from some of you!

 

Tigara

Myrelle

Aiotanga

Taliquemet

Heltor Helton

Sboydw

Zarine

Captain Huey

Shadowhelm

Shauna

Eve

 

That’s the word from the Cavalry camp! See you next month, when one of you might be a Cavalry Page!!

 

 

Raw Recruit Report or the Triple R

(by Lady Bridmorgan)

 

This month started off with no Recruits signing in with the Cavalry but the end of the month picked up! Joining the Cavalry as RRs this month were Maud, Woolhead (a former band member we are ecstatic to have back), Faelene, Belar and Zeth!. Welcome to the Band to all of ya…ok and welcome back Wooly!

 

The Yard has been busy welcoming the new recruits, watching their Jousts with high anticipation and in some cases spam…;D As of this writing, all of the jousts are still ongoing with no real leader showing. It’s exciting, gripping stuff I tell ya!

 

The Joust Lineup:

XO Taymist vs. RR Maud - Maud has had to take a LOA so the joust is on hold for now!

Cav CG Katiora vs. RR Woolhead - Wooly is two blows to zero!

LG/RLO Bridmorgan vs. RR Faelene - This joust has just started

RAL Manriva vs. RR Belar - Just started, but the Belar isn’t intimidated by our Pirate!

 

Other RR activities are abounding! Faelene is the host of a Mystery Dating Game, with our illustrious CG Kat as the Femme Fatale and three Mystery Dates. I gotta give Ani the kudos and credit for this one! Wooly has a Portrait thread where he has to post portraits for any Band member that asks for one. Maud interviewed our CG Kat and all I have to say is look out Katie Couric!!! The journalistic skills will astound you! Zeth has just started with us yesterday, but by the time you read this, he will have started his joust and fulfilled his 3rd task of bartending at the Warhorse and creating a flyer to advertise it! Another Ani creation!

 

All of our recruits this month had to write a response to a review to either an Album, Gig or Holiday (vacation to us Americans). For this, they will gain one Org point!

 

Besides doing tasks, all the recruits are asked to choose a mount in our Pasture, where we keep our spare mounts. Here they do a small role play to choose a mount which they will ride in their joust. I have to applaud Faelene for her creativity and down right ingenious idea of naming her horse Corki!

 

So, yeah, the Cav has some great recruits this month. They are keeping us on our toes, are keeping us laughing and are making the Cav a great place to have fun!

 

Thanks to you all, you help remind us how much fun the Cavalry is!

 

[Mystica]

Special! 

 

Read about the Infantry Bear in the Specials Section, where Arrandion will take you on a journey of legend, adventure, bravery and astonishment.

 

 

Welcome to Infantry Row!

(By Kara)

 

May I first welcome our new CG and her Team for this new term. Kristine has stepped up to the plate again to take over from Taymist who has now become the Bands XO. A few changes to the team had to be made due to some members having to go on LOA for a while.

 

Secondly I'd like to welcome our newest members: Talya, Cu'chulainn, and Dragon_rider. We are honoured to have such fine recruits join us and I'm certain that each one will be an asset to our Regiment!

 

Promotion-wise, the month of July started well for us Infants with several of us getting promoted. Our CG, Kristine, was promoted from Lieutenant to Senior-Lieutenant. Nighteyes and Kara were promoted from Master Sergeants to Under-Lieutenants. Arrandion climbed from Sergeant to Master Sergeant and Jackdaw rose from Private First Class to the rank of Corporal. And one of our newest members, Talya, was promoted from Private to Private First Class. Well done to all!

 

We've sadly had to say a (hopefully temporary) goodbye to the one and only Footie, (aka Grim, Mr Pink, Footzee the arrteest....etc) who has had to go on an extended LOA as he has been promoted in RL and so cannot spend time with us until he's managed to sort out his new hefty workload. We miss you Footy, the Barracks are so much quieter without you....although it must be said the place is cleaner..not so many drinks are being sprayed everywhere ;)

 

The Infantry are also showing what we are made of with our Blademaster spars that are currently in progress. In particular the spar between our CG and her Master of Arms, Blademaster Dracarys is a great spectacle to watch...just don't get in the way, it could be lethal!

 

We've had a plethora on Recruits join us for their RR week and each of them have been a delight to have. All have attended to their tasks with speed and willingness and that bodes well for whichever regiment they decide to join when their RR time is over. Honourable mentions must go to RR Belar with his weapons cleaning thread and Faelene collecting the superstitions of the Infantry ;) We currently have Recruit Safir joining us and more recruits to come :)

 

 

Current events....Talya has started a decent brawl in Kris's Kafe, so feel free to join in ;D We'd be glad to show you how its done! ;)

 

And finally we've had 2 birthdays this month. Gaul and Kristine celebrated their birthdays and I'm sure had a fantastic time :)

 

Thats all for now folks, hope to see you in our Taverns soon!  ;D

 

 

[Mystica]

 

For any future banders out there, the Raw Recruit Programme is how we initiate all new members to our Org. Each Recruit spends a week with our three regiments in turn, doing fun tasks and getting to know members. At the end of the three weeks they may choose a Regiment to join.

 

During the month of July we had five Recruits graduate! They were Talya, Dragon_Rider, Auron, Cu'chulainn and Anigrel Tavadon. Talya, Dragon_Rider and Cu'chulainn have joined the Infantry while Auron and Anigrel became Cavalry.

 

The Outstanding Recruit of the Month is the Recruit that has stood out to me as being the most motivated and dedicated. The Outstanding Recruit must excel amongst his/her peers and a reward for this prestigious title is the prize of one org point.

 

The Outstanding Recruit for the month of July is: Talya!

 

Don’t forget to offer your congratulations the next time you see her!

 

 

Of the Recruits choosing Regiments the statistics so far are:

 

10 - Cavalry

9 - Infantry

6 - Archers

 

July 1st saw the start of a new term and changes to the Regimental Staff, so welcome to the new RLOs:

 

Morrigan

Chaelca

Karaj

Kristine

Lady Bridmorgan

Anigrel Tavadon

 

 

Taymist

Executive Officer (The XO)

[Mystica]

 

The Reever Speaks

 

A RedArm report.. Jumpin Jehosaphat.. like i ain't got important things to do. A barking dog outside needs to be mown and my grass needs to be throttled. I got a sock drawer from Beezlebubs Crib and we won't even THINK about my ... What?

 

My python boot is too tight, I couldn't get it off last night.

A week went by and now it's July....... What! July?! But Christmas was just last month! ... Wasn't it? Ohhh Hells Bells, Poorhouse again.. Why can't children stay 3. Now I'm a piker if they don't get a bleedin Club Med vacation at Sandy Klaus time.... Ungrateful Wretches! "But ya' gotta love em'"... I suppose. Tolerate? Now thats an entirely different can o' spam altogether.

 

*************

 

Let me start with congratulating Sir Steel, for being voted the finest Red Arm we could dig up ....errrrm .. the finest Red Arm left ...hmmmmm.. the best ever seen by man or beast... no .. wait.. Wooly just rejoined.....

 

THE GREATEST REDARM IN THE WORLD

 

FOR THE TERM MAY - JUNE 2007 .. and he has the badge to prove it!

 

*************

 

Wellllll.. The new RA's jumped right in feet first this month and started handing out spottys like they's buttons at a politicos' fund raiser. The really great thing about em' is that they are crooked as Tricky Di@k Cheney. But not near as surly, which i really have to work with them on. I mean we handed out a spotty to a HORSE! Made the bugger wear a flamin pink tu tu so we did.... Brilliant! The cited Banders are taking it all in stride though and doin' the time for the crime like Christmas was tomorrow and they didn't want a proverbial box o' rocks!

 

This Auld Pirate has a crew Cap'n Jack would be proud of... A scurrilous crew of old and new who would tag their mums for a brew or two.

 

We got a Razic, Ashandarei who is my strong smellin right arm. And Sir Steel, who is just strong smellin. We got Alishandra who hands out spottys like a drunk ambulance chaser with a new box of business cards.We got Jim Raynor, thats a no brainer. We got a Dragon Lover, and a Golden Wolf Brother (though he hides in the bushes mostly). We got Jaydn of the Bow and wonder of wonders, we got Mysty! ... Whoa!

 

So mind yer Q's and P's Lubbers.... I got me eye on ya!

 

[Mystica]

 

Welcome,

 

We have an excited program in the Columns Section for you this month as our MG has returned with his recommendation and is going to reveal his thoughts on a Florence, Italy. Kristine's 1001 Infantry Nights will glue you to your seat and growl for more at the end of it! Trust me.... I know from personal experience. Soooooooo I managed to entice her to submit TWO parts this month.  ;D

 

Our Raw Recruits been slacking this month and so you are priveledged to be graced with a fantastic piece from RR Belar that you will not wish to miss.

 

Our Freelance Reporters this month are Arrandion with a very special and peculiar piece of an Infantry Bear and Anigrel's tribute to a Real Life American Cavalry man.

 

 

How to get your story in the Hornsounder?

 

Do you have interesting, funny, weird, general stories that you'd like to share but that don't quite fit in any of the other sections?

Then don't hesitate to contact me by pm to present your idea/topic and next month your story could very well be published in Hornsounder.

 

In here you could find:

- the full articles of summarized pieces found in the other Sections

- the loose articles from Banders and Non-Banders that are not assigned to any one Section

- independent and Sectionless projects and coverages

- various undetermined pieces of work from both Banders and Non-Banders

 

The articles and coverages that are posted here can cover any topic, be it about WOT, Band, DM related topics or anything else that might be of interest to share with our readers.

 

Now without further hesitation, I wish you a lot of reading pleasure with this month’s collection of articles.

 

Mystica,

EiC

 

 

Colums

 

*MG Recommendation* ~~ Florence, Italy

 

Another month comes by, and it is time for another M-G Recommendation. The initial intention for the article was a look at ice cream after tasting some fantastic varieties out in Italy while I was on holiday there recently. But then I decided I would concentrate on my favourite city out of Rome, Florence and Venice which I visited while there. Each had their charms, but one stood out more than the others - and that was Florence.

 

Having spent 4 days in Rome seeing the city which was home to one of the immortal language that I study, it was time to move onto the Renaissance city of Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany. Compared to both Rome and Venice, Florence was a far more relaxing place, with a slower pace of life that made it a very enjoyable place to be. We were fairly fortunate that our hotel, Le Due Fontane, was located very close to the city centre, being about 200 metres or so from the Duomo, the city's cathedral. On a side note, I highly recommend this hotel, which has good sized rooms at a great price, and lays a good spread for your continental breakfast every morning.

 

Because Florence is quite a small city, it is possible to walk around the city to see the various sites that have to be seen. Walking down towards the centre of the city from the Le Due Fontane hotel, you are immediately hit by the vastness of the Duomo, the city's cathedral, it's adjacent bell tower and the Baptistry, decorated with a vivid pink, white and green façade. Compared to other churches and cathedrals that were visited on the holiday, the inside was a bit of a let down compared to the spectacular outside. Yes, there are things to see inside, like the wonderful stained glass windows, but there are better church interiors elsewhere. However, it is highly recommended that you go up the campanile (bell tower), as it gives you some cracking views of the city. It also allows you to get a better outside view of Brunelleschi's dome of the Duomo, one of the famous landmarks of the city. If you can, do go up and see the Dome, as it is something I wished I had done - but I plan on going back at some stage.

 

I thought that Basilica di Santa Croce was a far better church inside than the Duomo. Decorated with the same pink, white and green façade, the interior had more on offer, with the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo to name but a few. The Basilica is situated in the area of the city known as Santa Croce, and is home to many leather shops - Florence is famous for its leather. The Basilica has its own leather factory, and it is well worth a look to see the high quality of the goods there. They may not be cheap, but it is definitely worth it. My own view is that I would much rather pay more for a good quality leather item, than haggle with the many stall owners in the leather markets located around the city, with leather of an unknown origin. Yes, the markets do have some nice items (especially jackets), but it is still best to look around in the shops before bartering in the market, where the stall owners fo their best to convince you to buy their items.

 

Being situated near Milan, Florence does have a lot of the big name fashion shops (Gucci, Prade etc) if that sort of thing interests you. However, most of the city is dominated by shops selling various leather items, but if you look around, you can find other shops. The wine shops are well worth looking in, as you will find a lot of wine from the local Chianti region that you won't find in your local supermarket. If you want jewellery, head towards the Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge across the River Arno that the Germans didn't bomb when retreating during World War II. All of the shops sell a dazzling array of gold and silver jewellery, and this is the time when you wish your other half had a rather large credit card!

 

Being a Renaissance city, Florence is home to a lot of art. The Uffizi Gallery is a must, but booking in advance is highly recommended! It is extremely popular with tourists who come to Florence, with works by such greats as Botticelli, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael and many many more. The Galleria Dell'Accademia, just around the corner from the Le Due Fontane hotel, is home to one of the most famous works of art - Michelangelo's David. This is the main draw for the Galleria, but that isn't to say the other pieces of art of display aren't worth seeing - because they are. Once you enter, you are hit by a model (sadly) of Giambologna's Il Ratto delle Sabine (Rape of the Sabine Women), and before the David, the Prigioni (prisoner or slaves) series by Michelangelo, which are all unfinished and so allow your mind to wonder what the finished statues would have looked like. Just a quick warning - technically you aren't supposed to take photos as the constant shout of "no photo" from the Galleria staff tell you, but if you are sneaky enough, it can be done.

 

Whenever you go away, food is a must have. Florence is known to have been a poorish city in the past, so it is a must to try the trippaio or tripperia - the tripe stand. Tripe was a common dish for the poor locals in the Medieval times, while their lords dined on fine meat. Ask for a lampredetto (a particular cut of the gut) roll with a tasty sauce, and you'll be mildly surprised - I was. It was just a shame the stand was shut the next day! Another must have dish is the bistecca alla fiorentina, a massive T-bone steak. It's a huge slab of meat, but well worth it. The serving I had in the Pizzeria "Mastro Ciliegia" was one of the best bits of beef I have ever eaten. However, you do have to be careful as there are some poor restaurants out there. As soon as you see the words "Tourist Menu", alarm bells should be ringing. But with careful searching, you'll find the place for you. Just a quick tip on a Florentine coc.ktail - try a Negroni.

 

Finally, I apologise for the lack of photos, but my current dial up internet connection isn't very friendly for uploading photos. Some quick searches on Google will give you some photos and information. But when you do go, make sure you take a good guide book - I had a Lonely Planet, and it was a great companion for the city.

 

Overall, Florence is a very friendly city, and the city will reward any traveller who goes there for a long weekend. There is plenty to see and do, and everything is very accessible. It is a must for all those who love artwork, as there is plenty to see. For wine lovers, it couldn't be better than being in the Chianti region! You get a fantastic experience, and I can't wait to go back!

[Mystica]

*1001 Infantry Nights* (part 2 & 3)

(by Kristine)

 

Kris sat in the officer’s quarters behind the mammoth desk in the CG’s office that came with the amount of responsibility that a desk like that required. She leaned back in the leather chair and looked at Kell as he poured another drink from her personal Guinfantry taps. Kieran sat in the chair on the other side of her desk sipping tea and watching her. She knew both wanted her to continue with the story she had started. She delayed under the guise of looking over the damage reports from the various brawls that seemed to spring up in infantry establishments. At the slight clearing of a throat Kris set the papers down to face her two bandeds and folded her hands on top of the papers that rested there waiting for her review.

 

“I stayed there, believing that Gerald was my father, all the while not knowing who I really was, or how I’d come to be there. As for Gerald, what he believed was a woman of extraordinary beauty stumbled upon him about a year back shortly after having the child and died there in his care. In his mind and in the law of the land that made me his responsibility, his child as it was. I’m not sure if something snapped in his mind with the memories that Thelma placed there, or if he was already a bit unhinged, but he was drunk for the majority of my life and always blamed me for her death. He knew I wasn’t his blood, there was never any mention of that, but when I’d ask him about my mother, he’d get defensive. The only thing he seemed to know about me was my name, but all he ever called me was Smoke. From about the time I was seven, I’d go trapping with him – learned how to track, how to tell what animal prints were what, and I got better with the bow every turn. Eventually, at about eleven or twelve, I took over trapping all together. Gerald was constantly drunk and gambling. Debt began to pile up, and there was one person that came over and over trying to collect on them. Gerald would give him the money I’d make with the pelts, but you could tell it wasn’t what he wanted. It was three days after my twelfth birthday when I figured out what it was he wanted…”

 

***

“… and I’ll forgive all the money owed to me. Otherwise it might get around town that you’ve been taking advantage of the child up here all by yourself. After all, who are they going to believe, you a worthless drunk, or me?” Kris heard the oily voice of Master Krem Brevelin through the window as she approached the cabin she sometimes occupied with her father. The more and more he was drunk all the time, the more she stayed in the stables bunked down in the hay loft. She must have made a noise in passing because all conversation cut off from behind the closed door.

 

“Smoke? Come in here.” The gruff voice of Gerald stopped her in her tracks. She knew to disobey now would lead to yet another beating that would make tracking in the morning even more difficult than it already was. She approached the door hesitantly and pushed it open. The two long strands of hair that framed her pixie face were braided and pinned back. The rest of her hair was trimmed short in back. Her gray green eyes appeared too big and too old for her youthful face. Dirt covered her hands and cheeks. To a casual look she appeared to be a young boy, but once clean and upon closer inspection it was obvious that she was a girl on the edge of becoming a young woman. Her eyes darted quickly to Master Brevelin before cutting back to her father. He was looking at her for a while and finally nodded. “She’s yours then Krem, just cancel the debt I owe you.”

 

All meekness seemed to leave Kris at that phrase. She had heard rumors about Master Brevelin and his cruelty, and she wasn’t about to enter his household under any circumstances. The shoulders of the twelve year old girl squared and a lopsided smirk crossed her lips. She wasn’t sure where the insolence came from, but anger gave her strength. “I’m no ones. You, Gerald, have no right to me since you just gave me over, and I will be no man’s property. Sell yourself you old pile of horse dung.” Turning on heel, Kris made her way out of the cabin only to be grabbed by the hair on her head and yanked backwards. She was spun around and face to face with Brevelin. To say he was infuriated was an understatement. Kris groped behind her and closed her hand on the skillet that rested on the stove. With all her strength she swung and connected with the side of his head. He went down bonelessly – hitting his head on the edge of the table in the process. Blood poured out from his temple and pooled on the floor.

 

It seemed like ages that Kris stared at that ever growing puddle of red, but only mere seconds past until Gerald was upon her swinging and punching. “All you’ve done is brought me more and more problems. Ever since I found you and your cursed mother, you’ve been a burden. No wonder she died, she died to escape a millstone like you…” It was at that point that Kris had stopped listening to the words, and focused in on the fact that Gerald had never really knew her mother, that she was not his child, that he never had any right to the course of her life. Screaming she launched herself at Gerald’s throat, surprising him with actually fighting back. Her small fists connected with his face as she fought like a wild animal. Startled he moved backwards, slipping in the pool of blood and crashed down over the fallen man and straight onto the dagger he’d had in his hand. Kris continued to punch the fallen man until she realized that he was not struggling to defend himself. She pushed away and looked down into the shocked dead eyes of the man she’d known as father. She cried out and scuttled backwards and huddled against the corner of the cabin. She was uncertain of what to do, so she sat and thought for a long time before nodding to herself and stood. She went into Gerald’s room and collected a short sword he had there, any money that was hidden and stashed, a set of gloves and a cloak. She lay down on her stomach and wriggled under the bed and pried at a loose board that she knew he had used to hide valuable things that he didn’t want found. In this hidden storage she found a locket and a letter. Opening the locket she saw two delicately painted portraits. One was a woman that looked surprisingly like Kris except for her eye color and length of hair, and the other was a man with a serious face and her eyes. With shaking hands she opened the letter and read.

 

Kristine,

 

If you have found this letter it means that at last Gerald has come clean about the fact that he is not your father and he never knew your mother. If that time has come, seek me out and I will answer the questions I know you must have. I am in Arafel in a town called Elkhorn.

 

Mother Hespera

 

Still shocked by the turn of events, Kris walked out of the cabin, stepping over the bodies that lay where she left them and untied the man’s horse. Packing her items in one bag and placing the locket around her neck she swung up and into the saddle and began to ride. It took Kris two days to get out of the Black Hills, and about the same amount of time to actually snap back to reality to comprehend that she needed to have a plan and figure out where she was going. She vaguely knew where Arafel was, but she’d need more direction, some supplies, and most of all, a plan. Stopping at a lake she picketed the horse and cleaned up, putting on a change of clothes that she had packed. She braided the long strands of hair that hung on either side of her face and pulled the gloves over her hands. Swinging Gerald’s cloak about her shoulders she looked over at the horse that stood before her. “I guess I can’t just keep calling you Horse… maybe… Ayende. I read it once, means Freedom. Since you are my ride towards Freedom, seems fitting. Well, Ayende, let’s go find a place with the answers.”

 

***

 

“I found a town and a map and figured out how to get to Arafel. Elkhorn was on the border of Kandor and Arafel in a thriving town on the River Ernin.” Kris chuckled softly. “I didn’t know then what I knew now, otherwise I could have cut off a lot of my journey, but then again, it’s the journey that makes the person, is it not? I found Mother Hespera and she told me of what happened to my mother, that she was killed to Trollocs. She didn’t know for certain about my father, and I didn’t ask. At that time I believed fathers to be a waste of time and just something to be avoided at all cost no matter what. I took to training with the swords, swearing that I’d never again use a bow since it was the one thing that Gerald was proud of me for. I added bells to the ends of my braids and held to Arafel as my place of birth and rearing, even though I was training across the border in Kandor. I stayed and trained till I was close to seventeen namedays old. At that time another defining moment came from just another ordinary day…

 

***

”You are worthless Kristine! Why do I even waist my time trying to train a little nobody from Arafel anyway! Get out of my sight! You’ll never be a fighter, just like you could never be a real lady! BEGONE!” Kristine watched as Geric strode away from her in a huff. Her shoulder was screaming at her from where he had landed a blow with the hilt of his sword. She wasn’t sure, but she thought it was once again dislocated. She would have to visit Mother Hespera again to get it looked at.

 

Kris ran her hand through the red hair that was shorn close to the nape of her neck and jostled the two long thin braids with bells threaded through the ends that framed her face. She would be a fighter, she would stand against the trollocs that stole her family from her. They would be avenged – she would not give up until she was the best. First she had to even be decent. She made her way over to Mother Hespera’s and smiled at Kajorl who was sitting on the stoop waiting for her.

 

“I heard Master Geric insulting you again. I don’t like it Kristine. Why don’t you give up this absurd notion and marry me. Keep my home and have a family with me.” His gray eyes were pleading even as his mother strode out and nudged him away with her toe.

 

“Her path is her path, Kajorl. Don’t try and sway her off of it.” Mother Hespera’s eyes were deep and green and they seemed to be able to look deep into the heart of a person. Kristine would say she was about forty or fifty summers old, but she couldn’t be sure. She stood being measured in Mother Hespera’s gaze for a few minutes, and then the wise woman stepped aside and allowed Kristine access to her kitchen. “Oh, my child. If I could take the burden away from you, I would, but to do so would be to strip the passion by which you live. No one in this town will understand why you feel you have to do this. No one in this town will make the true effort needed to train you. Kristine, as much as I know it will hurt you, and also my lovestruck son… you must leave. I’ll give you a name of a man that will help you – he owes me a favor. Go to him, and he’ll train you. Once you are trained remember these words… ‘Seek out the hand where justice is served, keep with the line where honor is preserved, find the unity inside the band, and dance with death daily.” When you find the answer to that, you’ll know you’ve found your destination.” Mother Hespera seemed to be lost in thought for a minute as she walked over and placed her hand on top of a bundle. “My husband was a wonderful man that swore to protect me through times of war and in times of peace. He has since passed on to the weavings of the wheel once more, but he left this behind. I always knew that it would not pass to my son, but you are like a daughter to me, so I know this will serve you well. This was his sword, he called it Thelma as she was the woman in his life for so many years before I entered in. I ask that you keep the name and know that Thelma will protect you as long as you carry her – and also that you’d have a piece of me along with you – as I am Thelma Hespera. Be well, my child on your journey. I know I will not see you again in this life, but in the next, perhaps you will be my daughter again.”

 

***

“So, I had another mission, another course, and another goal. I mounted Ayende once more and headed off in a new direction. This time the path took me to a man that was a warder to Mother Hespera’s sister, Louise Hespera, and also set me on my path to meet my real father…”

 

Kris settled back into her chair and smiled now, the lopsided smile that bespoke of memories. They weren’t bad, but they weren’t always pleasant, they just were. Shaking her head she turned to face the two men that were waiting for her to continue. Her eyes appeared grayer that green as they locked with each of her bandeds. The color was fitting since they seemed to change with her mood, and when she was somber, the color reflected that. “It took me months to reach my next destination. I wasn’t ready for a full cross country trek, and might should have waited for a caravan or something, but since when do I wait when I’ve decided on a course of action? Ayende died somewhere along the journey, but I kept pushing forward…”

 

***

 

Night shrouded the city of Tar Valon, but the city did not rest. There was little movement on the streets; most of the activity was in the taverns and inns that lined the lighted streets. A low shadow creped from doorway to doorway. The shape was small and hunched over, as if it was in pain, and it was. Its stomach seemed to try to claw its backbone from its place supporting the slight body. The figure's nose seemed to twitch at the aroma's wafting out of the doors into the streets yet it seemed shy about approaching crowds.

 

Thoughts raced back to the early days near the Black Hills. The fights would start over nothing, and somehow, the silent figure would manage to escape, but not without scrapes and bruises. Shelter along walls and staying low had provided safety for one that seemed destined to die young.

 

The figure was dressed in pants and a coat with a cloak wrapped about its emancipated form. A sword was strapped tight to the hip and even though it looked too fancy for a waif to possess, there was no question that it belonged there.  The hood of the cloak was drawn up to hide a filthy face. Small hands covered with fingerless gloves reached up to pull the form up onto a barrel, finding rest for a brief moment.

 

"You! Boy! Get off there and find somewhere else to clutter up!"

 

The innkeeper watched as the boy slunk off the barrel and made his way towards the shinning tower that loomed over the City.  His eyes never wavered as he moved forward, not even when he stumbled and fell on legs that were too weak to support even his slight weight.  Guilt crushed the innkeeper for a moment before a crash from behind him pulled his attention away. The last few yards the lad caught the attention of the Tower Guard as made his way to the gates of the White Tower on willpower alone. The guardsman looked at the ragged child and roughly grabbed the boy's collar.

 

"Lookin’ for hand outs, lad? Come back in the morning."

 

"Please, I have come here to train. My horse was killed on the way here from Shol Arbela, and I haven't eaten in two weeks, but I’ve got to find a man named Sakan Galrodan.  I want to train to be a Gaidin."

 

The man's eyes softened at the lad, thinking him less than fourteen years old. "Lad, the Aes Sedai will care for you, but you are young yet to begin training, especially with the former Head Gaidin."

 

"Please you, sir; I am seventeen, old enough to be without out a family. I’ve been training with the Kandori soldiers at Elkhorn.  All I want is a chance to train with the best.  If they tell me I’m not good enough, I’ll leave."

 

The man took the boy’s arm and helped him to stand on his own feet. The arms were thin and slightly bony, and the man showed some compassion. "Lad, you will not enter the Gaidin training looking like that. I am off now, come to my home, I'll feed you and then you can go train when your strength is back."

 

Agreeing the youth followed the man to his home, guided more than walking, feet failing in their most basic function. When they arrived the man pointed to a heel of bread to start on. Having gone without any food for days the youth devoured the bread quickly.

 

"Easy lad, take it easy. Come now, go wash up while I put on a stew of rabbit meet." Kris’ smoky eyes flew to his. "Go on Smoke, get clean, there is no trick here." Kris sat startled for a moment as she was hurled back in time to another man that had called her Smoke.  She glanced at the man, but there was no malice in his face, and the voice had even been slightly tender.  Kris walked to the bowl and pulled the gloves from her hands. She poured the water into the bowl and took a strong bar of soap and scrubbed her hands and splashed her face. The water turned brown and was muddied before her face was even close to clean. When she turned back to the man she noticed the warrior's eyes still on her and she began to squirm.

 

"Pour it out in the street and wash again, lad, you'll feel better. I'm called Throm, what's your name, child? Or should I keep calling you Smoke, you are a wisp of a thing, and silent and all, it does fit you."

 

"I'm Kris, but Smoke works, I've been called just about everything under the sun." Throm listened to Kris' husky voice, and his assumptions were proven correct.

 

"You do well enough when you are not talking; girl, but your voice, face and hands give you away. I know why you hid on your way here, but why continue when I named myself a friend?"

 

"I have hidden what I am for so long, sometimes I even forget." The girl pulled the cloak off to reveal her short reddish hair with the two long braids with bells tied to the ends. Her face just washed showed her smooth cheeks and her sooty greenish colored eyes rimmed with dark lashes. "Will they let a woman in the Gaidin training?"

 

"If you are good enough, they will. Here, eat your soup." The man felt like this girl's protector, and his heart ached for the daughter that would be close to this young one's age. "I'd say in a week you'll find out. Eat up, Smokey, I won't bite you."

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

A week later Kris stood in the Gaidin's yard. She had filled out thanks to Throm's care and nourishment. She proved to him that she could shoot a bow and arrow and use a sword for protection, so he felt confident that she could train with the Gaidin. Out of habit Kris pulled her gloves on her hands and her cloak hood up to hide her face. She resisted the urge to muddy her face to hide the fact that she was a woman. As it was a voice behind her made her spin around and forget about her fear of being discovered a woman, and just made her fear standing where she should not be.

 

"What do you want, Lad?"

 

***

 

Eamon stared down at the wisp of a boy as he turned around and looked up at the looming visage of the Head Gaidin. Not a lad, but rather a lass. Eamon never changed his view of the girl rather he placed both fists on his hips and stood like a wolf ready to attack. His large frame supported his armor, as did his strong shoulders. The two wrists thick braids were tied off in the back, his face was made up of hard angles and plains. His steel gray eyes seemed to never blink nor did they cease to see everything in the area. Leather pants were swirled in earth color as to give him a better chance to fade into the woods but the thighs and shins had plate armor covering them.

 

The two sword hilts that jutted over his shoulders were set for easy access as the girl’s eyes soaked in the entire form of the Head Gaidin, fancloth cloak and all. “Pardon m’Lord, I wish to train as a Gaidin.” Her voice was strong for a girl. For that fact she looked more boyish than girl, except for the smooth cheeks and the big eyes. “Do not turn me away, I have no place else to go.” Her plead did not fall on deaf ears.

 

Eamon stood and listenedd his eyes never leaving hers. She did not shy away, and albeit she was not the strongest looking trainee, she did have discipline and strength. “Can you follow orders without question or falter?” Eamon asked.

 

“Yes m’lord”, she answered quickly.

 

“Are you prepared to work harder than you ever have in your life?” Eamon asked.

 

“Yes m’lord”, again was her response.

 

Eamon nodded, “The moment you quit I will send you on your way. If you fail to follow one order from any Gaidin here, I will boot you out.” She stood rigid, “Do you get me?”

 

“I get you m’lord”, she responded.

 

“Good, from now on you will refer to me as Eamon Gaidin or Warder Trevin, that is an order.” Eamon waited for her response.

 

“Yes, Eamon Gaidin”, she sounded more confident.

 

“Flehrad de'Morgan is the Master of Arms. He is the man in charge of your training.” Eamon waved to men over to where the newcomer stood. “This is Wassaba Catilon and Daeron Targaryen they will help you get acquainted here.” Eamon looked over to the two men. “Take …” Eamon left an opening for the girl to enter her name.

 

“Kristine Almear but everyone calls me Kris”, she said to the other GiT.

 

“Take Kris GiT to the Quartermaster and have her draw some uniforms. Then take her to the Armory and have her draw a blade. Then to the Charge of Quarters and have Thanatos Gaidin issue her Tanaquil Gaidin’s old room. Make sure she knows the code of conduct for the GiT and that she knows of the current threat here in the tower.” Eamon waited for the GiT to bark in the affirmative. “Then you three will work the forms together. Teach her what we have already covered.” Eamon returned the salute from the GiT.

 

“Favor Peace”, he said to the three as they disappeared.  As they left, Eamon stared after the girl with a puzzled look on his face.  He shook his head and walked back to his office.  Only time would tell.

 

***

“So, my life with the Gaidin started.  It was as you’d expect – intense.  I had never worked harder in my life, but I learned so much, and that was before Sakan Gaidin and Louise Sedai had returned to the tower.  I wouldn’t meet my Master until I had already reached second rank of the Gaidin.”

[Mystica]

Raw Recruit Articles

 

 

*The battle of Renfrew*

(by RR Belar)

 

Well I come from this town where nothing ever seems to happen, so imagine my surprise when looking at the history of warfare in Scotland and I find this.... The battle of Renfrew!!! Now it appears that this battle was actually important in the make up of Scotland as we know it today as it was between the 2 big Scottish rulers of the time, the Scottish crown and the Gaelic King of the Hebrides. (it seems silly now Scotland having 2 kings and fighting in my own town.....madness :P)

 

 

Details of what happened this day are very sketchy as far as only a year can be given 1164

 

Somerled, known as the King of the Isles Kingdom stretched down the west coast of Britain from the isle of Mann to the butt of Lewis <insert jokes about bottoms here> :P. Somerled was of both Viking and Scots stock and brought the people of the isles together as one of the most potent fighting forces in Scotland at this time both naval and land. But the emergence of the Scottish Stewarts on the mainland Somerled got worried over the security of his kingdom and lead a force of 160 ships full of soldiers to battle at Renfrew

 

Now the power that worried Somerled so was Malcolm IV of Scotland, a young king who as he was growing up was proving to be a very capable king and was seizing any opportunity to increase his own territory at this time the king was spreading his power base westwards into Galloway and Moray, to add to this the Stewards of Scotland were also increasing there power by expanding into the Firth of Clyde, closer to somerleds own kingdoms in Argyle and the isles

 

now strange as it may seem there is more know about what happened to cause the battle at Renfrew than the actual battle itself, but I will ramble on anyway XD

 

hers what is known about the battle it was known that approximately 160 ships came from all over the west coast of Scotland including some Vikings who sailed from there base at Dublin (I still find the thought of Irish Vikings funny) numbers from both sides were unknown but the opposing force is believed to have been lead by Walter Fit Allen, the high steward of Scotland, and a body of feudal knights, and it also appears the battle was very impromptu as the Gaels were ambushed and soundly defeated, Somerled and one of his own sons were killed in the battle, as they fought there way back to there ships to escape.

 

Alas for the isles this was the Beginning of the end for there time as an independent nation, and as the rest of the Gaelic and Nordic world began to civilize and organize itself into the countries we know today (Scotland, Ireland, Norway and Denmark) the isles continued to squabble over the vacant crown and were eventually absorbed into Scotland

 

below is one of the few recorded pieces wrote about the battle of Renfrew (translated from Gaelic)

 

Carmen de Morte Sumerlidi

 

Hear a marvel! To the terrible, the battle was terrible. Heather and furze-bushes moving their heads; burning thyme and branches; brambles and ferns, caused panic, appearing to the enemy as soldiers. Never in this life had such miracles been heard. Shadows of tyme and smoke were bulwarks of defence. And in the first cleft of battle the baleful leader fell. Wounded by a javelin, slain by a sword, Somerled died. And the raging wave swallowed his son, and the wounded of many thousand fugitives; because when this fierce leader was struck down, the wicked took to flight; and very many were slaughtered, both on sea and on land.

 

 

Freelance Articles

 

*The Infantry Bear*

(by Arrandion)

 

As we all know a lot of animals are friends to human being. During the war and during the peace they are here to support us in difficult times, when we are let down or when are alone. Our not always silent friend make us happier just for the bowl full of food, a short walk or just gentle touch and a few kind words.

 

So cavalry have their horses.

Archers have hunter's dogs.

 

One will ask - what about infantry then ?

 

I have an extraordinary story to tell...

A story about infantry soldier named Voytek. But .... Voytek was a bear.

 

Battle of Monte Cassino, was one of the fiercest and bloodiest conflicts of the Second World War. A man fought against man. But to be precise, germans fought against man and a bear. This is a story of an Iranian brown bear who served alongside the allied infantry soldiers in the worst heat of the battle. Despite the incessant bombardment and constant gunfire, the bear carried vital supplies of ammunition and food to his fellow-soldiers fighting on the mountainside. Many observers who witnessed his remarkable actions doubted the reality of what they were seeing.

 

But the story was no legend.

 

The Bear was born in the mountains of Hamadan, in one of the many caves to be found in that dusty mountainous area. At the age of eight weeks his mother was killed by a group of hunters, but he was rescued by a young Iranian boy who thrust him into a hempen sack and set off with him homeward along a narrow dusty path.

 

 

 

On one of the narrow mountain roads somewhere between Hamadan and Kangavar, the trucks carying polish soldiers were brought to an abrupt halt by the sight of a small Iranian boy carrying a bulky sack. He looked tired and hungry, so the men offered him a billy-can of meat. And as he ate, they gasped in astonishment as the sack beside him began to move and the head of a honey-coloured bear cub emerged sleepily into

the sunlight.

 

The orphaned cub was in poor condition and it was almost certain he would not survive the day. One of the men, therefore, offered to buy the orphaned cub for a few toumans. Someone else fumbled for a bar of chocolate and a tin of corned beef to give him. Another took from his pocket an army penknife that opened up like a flower. The boy smiled, pocketed the offerings and disappeared forever from their lives.

 

A feeding bottle had to be hastily improvised from an empty bottle of vodka into which a handkerchief had been stuffed to serve as a teat. They filled it with condensed milk, diluted it with a little water, and gave it to the little bear to drink. When he had finished it, he crept up close to one of the soldiers for warmth and fell asleep on his chest. The soldier s name was Piotr (Peter) and he became forever afterward, the bear's closest and most enduring friend.

 

In this way, Voytek the Iranian brown bear from Hamadan entered the lives of the soldiers of the Second Polish Army Corps, transforming all their destinies.

 

 

In the months that followed, he won over the hearts of all who met him. The soldiers, who had all endured the horrors and hardships of Siberia, needed something in their lives to love, and the presence of Voytek was a wonderful tonic for their morale. Despite his brute strength, which grew day by day, he was always an amiable and a gentle giant. The soldiers treated him from the start as one of their own company and never as a pet. They shared their food with him, allowed him to sleep in their tents at night and included him in all their activities. If the unit was ordered to march out, he would march with them on two legs like a soldier. When they were being transported to

some distant location, he would ride in the front seat of the jeeps (or transport wagons) to the great amazement of passers-by. More than anything, however, he loved to wrestle with the soldiers, taking on three or four of them at a time. Sometimes he was even gracious enough to allow them the courtesy of winning. Over the next few years, he shared all their fortunes, and went with them wherever they were posted

throughout the Middle East. He grew to be almost six feet tall and weighed 500 pounds.

 

 

In early 1944, the men of Voytek's unit were ordered embark for Italy to join the Allied advance on Rome. The British authorities gave strict instructions that no animals were to accompany them. The Poles therefore enrolled Voytek into the army as a rank-and-file member of their company (!) and duly waved the relevant papers in front of the British officers on the dockside at Alexandria. Faced with such impeccable credentials, the British shrugged their shoulders and waved the bear aboard. Polish soldiers told him that Voytek rises their "spirit" in battle as other animals they were carrying with them do (to be precise, apart from Voytek several other animals were taken onboard - monkey Kasie, two pigs, one dog and one pigeon). In this way, Voytek the Iranian bear became an enlisted soldier in the 22nd Transport Division (Artillery Supply) of the Polish 2nd Army Corps. YAY !

 

 

Voytek just loved to swim and dive, he also (to all polish soldiers joy) liked to drink beer, chocolate, honey and jams. He always got them for his good behaviour. One night he stole woman's underwear from Woman Signal Corp Camp. Other times he ran away scared when he heard a donkey.

 

He also liked nice women

 

 

And now we come back to the Battle of Monte Cassino

 

Monte Cassino was the strategic key to the allied advance on Rome. Three bloody attempts by the British, Americans, Indians, French and New Zealanders to dislodge the enemy from the famous hill-top monastery had failed. In April 1944, the Polish forces were sent in. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Much of the fighting was at close quarters. The shelling, which continued night and day without interval, scarred and cratered the landscape until it resembled the pock-marked surface of the moon.

 

During the most crucial phase of the battle, when pockets of men were cut off on the mountainside desperately in need of supplies, Voytek, who all this time had been watching his comrades frantically loading heavy boxes of ammunition, came over to the trucks, stood on his hind legs in front of the supervising officer and stretched out his paws toward him. It was as if he was saying: "I can do this. Let me help you". The officer handed the animal the heavy box and watched in wonder as Voytek loaded it effortlessly onto the truck. Backwards and forwards he continued, time and time again, carrying heavy shells, artillery boxes and food sacks from truck to truck, from one waiting man to another, effortlessly. The deafening noise of the explosions and gunfire did not seem to worry him. Each artillery box held four 23 lbs live shells; some even weighed more than a hundred. He never dropped a single one. And still he went on repeatedly, all day and every day until the monastery was finally taken. One of the soldiers happened to sketch a picture of Voytek carrying a large artillery shell in his arms, and this image became the symbol of the 22nd artillery transport, worn proudly on the sleeves of their uniforms ever afterwards and emblazoned on all the unit's vehicles.

 

Now famous, he completed his tour of duty in Italy and when the war was over, he sailed with the Polish Army to exile in Scotland. Here, once again, he found himself a celebrity. In Glasgow, people lined the streets in their thousands to catch sight of the famous soldier-bear marching upright in step with his comrades.

 

The story continues...

 

Voytek's last days, however, were steeped in sadness. In 1947, the Polish army in Scotland was demobilized and a home had to be found for him to live out his retirement. Although he was world-famous, the bear of Monte Cassino was forced to spent his last years behind bars in Edinburgh's Zoological gardens.

 

Artists came to sketch him and sculptors to make statues of him. Sometimes his old army friends arrived to visit him, leaping over the barriers to wrestle and play with him in the bear enclosure (to the utter horror of all the visitors and zoo officials). But he did not take well to captivity, and as the years passed, he increasingly preferred to stay indoors, refusing to meet anyone.

 

Voytek died in Edinburgh at the age of 22 on 15th November 1963. A plaque was erected in his memory by the zoo authorities. Statues of him were placed in the Imperial War Museum in London and in the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. But although he had entered the pages of military history, the Iranian soldier-bear of Monte Cassino would have preferred to remain in the company of the soldiers with whom he had shared five years of war and countless memories of devoted companionship.

 

Note: I was able to present this story (with my own alternations) thanks to Ryszard Antolak from Iranian Chamber Society and wikipedia related sources.

 

Arrandion

 

 

 

*A famous American Cavalry Man*

(by Anigrel)

 

 

James Ewell Brown (JEB) Stuart was probably the most famous cavalryman of the Civil War. A Virginia-born, West Point Graduate, Stuart was already a veteran of Indian fighting on the plains and of Bleeding Kansas when, as a first lieutenant in the 1st Cavalry, he carried orders for Robert E. Lee to proceed to Harpers Ferry to crush John Brown's raid. Stuart, volunteering as aide-de-camp, went along and read the ultimatum to Brown before the assault in which he distinguished himself. Promoted to captain on April 22, 1861, Stuart resigned on May 14, 1861, having arrived on the 6th in Richmond and been made a lieutenant colonel of Virginia infantry.

His later appointments included: captain of Cavalry, CSA (May 24, 186 1); colonel, 1st Virginia Cavalry (July 16, 1861); brigadier general, CSA (September 24, 1861); and major general, CSA July 25, 1862). His commands in the Army of Northern Virginia included: Cavalry Brigade (October 22, 1861 - July 28, 1862); Cavalry Division July 28, 1862 - September 9, 1863); temporarily Jackson's 2nd Corps (May 3-6, 1863); and Cavalry Corps (September 9, 1863 - May 11, 1864).

After early service in the Shenandoah Valley, Stuart led his regiment in the battle of 1st Bull Run and participated in the pursuit of the routed Federals. He then directed the army's outposts until given command of the cavalry brigade. Besides leading the cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia's fights at the Seven Days, 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness, Stuart was also a raider. Twice he led his command around McClellan's army, once in the Peninsula Campaign and once after the battle of Antietam. While these exploits were not that important militarily, they provided a boost to the Southern morale. During the 2nd Bull Run Campaign, he lost his famed plumed hat and cloak to pursuing Federals. In a later Confederate raid, Stuart managed to overrun Union army commander Pope's headquarters and capture his full uniform and orders that provided Lee with much valuable intelligence. At the end of 1862, Stuart led a raid north of the Rappahannock River, inflicting some 230 casualties while losing only 27 of his own men.

At Chancellorsville he took over command of his friend Stonewall Jackson's Corps after that officer had been mortally wounded by his own men. Returning to the cavalry shortly after, he commanded the Southern horsemen in the largest cavalry engagement ever fought on the American continent, Brandy Station, on June 9, 1863. Although the battle was a draw, the Confederates did hold the field. However, the fight represented the rise of the Union cavalry and foreshadowed the decline of the formerly invincible Southern mounted arm. During the Gettysburg Campaign, Stuart, acting under ambiguous orders, again circled the Union army, but in the process deprived Lee of his eyes and ears while in enemy territory. Arriving late on the second day of the battle, Stuart failed the next day to get into the enemy's rear flank, being defeated by Generals Gregg and Custer.

During Grant's drive on Richmond in the spring of 1864, Stuart halted Sheridan's cavalry at Yellow Tavern on the outskirts of Richmond on May 11. In the fight he was mortally wounded and died the next day in the rebel capital. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery there. Like his intimate friend, Stonewall Jackson, General Stuart soon became a legendary figure, ranking as one of the great cavalry commanders of America. His death marked the beginning of the decline of the superiority which the Confederate horse had enjoyed over that of the Union. Stuart was a son-in-law of Brigadier General Philip St. George Cooke of the Federal service; his wife's brother was Brigadier General John Rogers Cooke of the Confederacy.

[Mystica]

 

 

Ladies and Gents, it is time for you to dive into the debts of your minds once more and put those braincells to work!

 

Below, you find this month's Competition and free standing Games to which you are all (Banders and Non-Banders alike!) invited to take part in and claim those prizes!

 

The answers to last month's Competitions and Games are posted at the very end of this Section for those of you who wish to check just how well you did ;)

 

I hope to see many participants to the Competitions this month and wish you all a great deal of fun with our challenging Games.

 

But first...

 

June Competition Winners!

(by Bridmorgan)

 

The winners of the June Hornsounder Competitions were announced on June 28th.  This month we welcome back some familiar faces!  Sadly, there was a very small turnout this month, but with it being a huge month for vacations and holidays, it is to be expected.  But don’t think I won’t start my nagging, turn on my charming personality to get you all back to playing again next month!  ;D

 

First up is the Sudoku winners!  We have.....no winners!!  What?  You all are gonna let DJ get the crown again?  Well then, may I present our Sudoku King..the Nimble Numbers man...DJ!  Congratulations DJ on regaining your crown!  For this, DJ has won the July Sudoku pin and 3 Game points! Ok my fellow readers, lets not let him rest on his laurels!  Go get em this time!!!

 

Next we have the winners of the Scavenger Hunt.  This time we have three winners and let me tell you those Maidens made it tough for our competitors this time!  Luckily, the three competitors completed the Scavenger Hunt to the Maidens satisfaction and the hostages were released unharmed and the message to Sorilea made it through.  The brave souls are:

 

Taymist, XO of the Band, Sorceress of the Scavenger Hunt, Queen of the Questions..(I think you get the idea  ;)) with whopping score of 18 out of 20!!  Congratulations Tay!!

 

Tied with a score of 17 out of 20 are Bridmorgan and Arrandion!!  Both are repeat winners from last month and Arra has been a winner in every Scavenger Hunt to date!!  Apparently my scare tactics aren't discouraging him...I'll have to try harder.  :o  Oh, that was my out loud voice wasnt it?

 

Congratulations to all three!  For their hard work, they have been awarded with the July Scavenger Hunt pin and 5 Lottery Chips.

 

The final competition is the Word Scramble!  We have two winners this month and did they ever have to work hard!  After completing the Scavenger Hunt and being allowed to pass on their message to Sorilea, she had another challenge for them before they could return home!  The task was daunting, but thankfully these two pulled it off and the group was rescued from a lifetime of servitude to the Aiel!  The braniacs are:

 

Arrandion!!  Once again, he showed his quick intelligence and solved the Wise One's puzzle with a perfect score of 20 out of 20!!  Well done Arra!!! 

 

Next up is our prestigious Sudoku Master who showed that numbers isn't the only game he's good at!  With a score of 14 out of 20....DJ!  Congratulations DJ!!

 

The Word Scramble winners received the July Word Scramble Pin and 1 Org point!  Well done to both of you!

 

Well another month is over and another successful Hornsounder Competition is behind us.  But don't despair!  You will have another chance to push these champions off their platforms and take the winnings for yourself!!  Join in on the fun that is the HS challenges and test that sleepy summer brain of yours!  Until next month I bid you Happy Hunting!

 

[Mystica]

June Competitions

 

HS Scavenger Hunt for July~open to everyone

(by Mystica)

 

Storyline

 

Wandering about you were snatched off the street and put in a class of the Age of Legends. Months of boring, dry stuff has been fed to you and now the time has come for you to prove your knowledge of that era or face having to sit through it all agàin! 

 

May the Light go with you.

 

Instructions:

 

Below you find 20 questions to which you are to find the answers. Use whatever means necessary but to pass you'll need to get at least 12 of the 20 questions correct or it's back to the school benches with you.

 

Rules:

 

- PM your answers to Mystica before 20 August 2007

- Any answers posted on the boards automatically results in disqualification

- Only the first pm sent in will be considered. So make sure you double check on typos and if you aren’t sure yet of your answers take the time to check them out. No additional answers or corrections will be accepted.

 

Winners:  (attention!! change of procedure!!)

 

- to pass you must correctly answer 12 of the 20 questions

- the winners will receive their prize in a special ceremony and will be announced in the next Edition of Hornsounder

 

Winnings:

 

- Band members that win will receive 5 Lottery Chips + HS Scavenger Hunt Medal Pin of the Month

- Non-Banders will receive the HS Scavenger Hunt Medal Pin of the Month

- Prizes will be handed out in a thread on the public board of the BoTRH on DM.

 

Good luck to you all!

 

1. What is the Collam Daan and where was it located?

2. How did people travel in the Age of Legends without the One Power?

3. Name 3 cities that were considered ‘technological jewels’

4. What was most important in the AoL and how could it be obtained?

5. Name 3 professions were mainly dominated by Aes Sedai in the AoL?

6. Where was the main Hall of the Servants located?

7. What are Streith and Fancloth and what were they characteristics?

8. How was crime dealt with in the AoL?

9. Who lay at the beginning of the end of the AoL and what exactly was done to start that end?

10. What were Dreadlords?

11. What started the War of the Shadow?

12. What is another name for the War of the Shadow and why was it called so?

13. One use of the OP was stopped by both sides almost simultaneously. What was it and why did they stop using it?

14. Who was the Lord of the Morning and what was his function at the time the War of the Shadow arrose?

15. What is the original name of the ‘Betrayer of Hope’?

16. How many Aes Sedai formed the group that accompanied Lews Therin to seal the bore and what was that group called?

17. Name 5 other names for the DO

18. What is the one thing that is absolutely certain to be beyond the DO’s abilities? 

19. What is a forsaken’s greatest goal?

20. who were called the People of the Dragon in the AoL and why?

 

 

Word Scramble for July~open to everyone

(by Mystica)

 

Storyline

 

The second part of your exam to get out of this boring Age of Legends class is done in the Chamber of Stones. In here you find a pile of letterstones which You are to use the stones to form the words they are meant to represent. 20 in all. Not all stones may be needed and some may be missing. It is your challenge to find the right words anyway.

 

Good luck!

 

Rules:

 

- submit your answers by PM only to Mystica before the 20th August

- only 1 pm can be sent, so make sure to double check your answers.

- you don't need to find all the answers to be a winner. The 10 top answers will decide the winners.

 

Winnings:

 

- Banders will earn 1 ORG point towards their promotions

- Banders and non-banders will earn the SH award pin of May.

- All winners will receive their prize in a ceremony on DM and have their name published in the next edition of Hornsounder.

 

Good luck to all!

 

1. gea fo endelgs

2. acomall anda

3. edes nigings

4. lahl fo het vassernt

5. adhasin eali

6. sohram

7. atrolp nosset

8. durhend soinpamcon

9. leafbire

10. swohngins

11. torserers

12. girn fo eth yamtrlin

13. varetengil

14. enni sords fo nimdoonin

15. poolsumcin

16. ajasah sudel

17. het slapocel

18. rolcaladon

19. het teffau ondorcc

20. ormant digano

 

 

 

Sudoku for July~open to everyone

(by DirewolfJohn)

 

Instructions:

 

Below you find a Sudoku puzzle level 3. Your job is to fill in the missing numbers using numbers from 1 to 9 only.

If you'd like to practice a bit, you can find an easy and a medium level sudoku puzzle in the Games section, a little further in the Hornsounder.

 

--> type the numbers per row in the proper order and send your answer to Direwolfjon in a PM before 20 August 2007.

 

Rules:

 

- each number can only appear once in every row, every column ànd every square

- only answers sent in a PM will be valid, any posting of possible answers on the boards will result in immediate disqualification.

- you are only allowed to send in ONE pm, so make sure you double check your answers before sending them in.

 

Winners:

 

- the first 6 correct submissions will determine the winners

--> these will be split between: 3 Banders and 3 Non-banders if enough participants play. If not, it will simply go to the top 6 players.

- in case of a tie, the date and hour of submission will determine the winner.

- the winners will be announced in a ceremony together with the other competitions on the public board of the Band on DM ànd will be mentioned in the next edition of Hornsounder.

 

Winnings:

 

- For Band members: 3 Game Points + Sudoku pin!

- For Non-Band members: Sudoku pin!

- For all winners: announcement in the next Hornsounder Edition + Public Ceremony & Party at the public Band boards on DM.

 

 

Now get those grey cells cracking!

 

 

 

Caption Picture~open to everyone

(by Anigrel)

 

What could these two kitties possibly be thinking/saying??

 

Instructions:

- send in your idea on what these two are saying/thinking before 20 August 2007

- only submissions sent in by pm to Mystica will be considered

- only 1 submission per player

 

Winners:

- the 5 best submissions will be chosen by the Hornsounder team in a poll

- the winning submissions will be posted in the next Edition of the Hornsounder

- Banders will earn 1 org point

- medal pin will be bestowed on all winners

 

Good luck to everyone!

 

[Mystica]

June Games

 

Crossword Puzzle

(By Taymist)

 

This puzzle is just for fun. The web page is interactive, meaning you don't have to print anything out. Just click on the clue you wish to start with and enter your guess in the box that appears. Words will automatically be entered into the grid. Enjoy !!

 

 

WoT Crossword Challenge

 

 

Arrow Words

(by KaraJ)

 

For your braincracking pleasure!

 

 

 

Sudoku

(by Direwolfjohn)

 

Easy Level

 

 

Medium Level

 

 

 

Answers to last month's Competitions and Games

 

Competions:

 

Scavenger Hunt

 

1. What does Djevik K'Shar mean?

The Drying Ground

2. Who are the Da'shain Aiel?

Original Aiel, devoted to the Way of the Leaf and service to the Aes Sedai

3. What was the last duty the Aes Sedai bestowed upon the ancient Aiel? 

To bring the Angreal and Ter’Angreal to safety

4. Which group of people today are the descendants of the ones that first broke the Covenant? 

Tuatha’an aka Tinkers

5. What is the name of the first Maiden of the Spear?

Morin

6. What is the difference between the Jenn Aiel and the Aiel?

Jenn Aiel = The One True aile, are the ones that kept to the Covenant and the Way of the Leaf

The Aiel = the ones that took up weapons to defend themselves and their families.

7. What is Avendoraldera and why is it important in the Aiel history? 

Offspring of the last chora tree and the source of the Aiel War

8. Chaendaer is one of the most important places of the Aiel. Why? 

The name of the Mountain of the Valley where Rhuidean is located

9. How is a clan chief chosen?

He must got to Rhuidean and survive the trip into the city

10. What daily chore is done by the children and the gai'shain?

Tending the gardens of vegetables in the holds

11. which groups can not be made gai'shain according to the code?

Wise ones, blacksmiths and children under the age of 15 and women with a child under the age of 10

12. Gai'shain serve for a specific number of time. How long do they serve?

One year and one day

13. What happens to a child born from a Maiden? 

Is given to another woman of the Aiel without anyone knowing who the child comes from

14. What was the secret reason the ancient Aes Sedai gave the Aiel their last duty?

To try to protect the Aiel themselves from the onslaught

15. Who can travel the Aiel Waste at will today (prior to the Car'a'carn)?

Gleemen, Tinkers and Peddlers

16. What happens to a Maiden's weapons when she becomes and Apprentice to the Wise Ones? 

They are destroyed and the metal pieces are made into non-weapon items to be given away

17. What is valued above all else in the Aiel Society? 

honour

18. Who decides when toh has been met?

The one meeting the toh themselves decide when their toh has been met

19. When is someone called a first-sister/brother?

When they have the same mother

20. 'The Lost Ones' is a term used by both the Aiel as well as the Tinkers for one another. What is the meaning behind the term for both sides?

For the Tinkers: because the Aiel carry and use weapons

For the Aiel: because the Tinkers were the first to abandon the Covenant and their appointed task by the ancient Aes Sedai

 

 

Word Scramble

 

The Dying Ground

Water Oath

chora tree

the bleakness

cadin'sor

Stone Dogs

treekillers

covenant

gai'shain

maiden kiss

marriage wreath

sister-wife

shade of my heart

da'tsang

car'a'carn

dreamwalker

water seeker

taardad

shoufa

sightblinder

 

 

Games:

 

Crossword Puzzle

 

[Mystica]

Jokes

 

*Ugly Bride*

(by Amavia)

 

A guy attending a wedding asks the person sitting next to him, “Hey, have you noticed how horrible-looking the bride is? Man, she's ugly!”

 

“You jackass. That's my daughter you're talking about!” the person responds.

 

“Oops! I'm sorry, sir. I didn't know you were the father.”

 

“I'm not, you stupid idiot. I'm the mother!”

 

You wouldn't want this to happen to you

 

 

*Which organ should rule the body?*

(by Dragonlover)

 

All the organs of the body were having a meeting, trying to decide who was the one in charge.

 

"I should be in charge," said the brain, "because I run all the body's systems, so without me nothing would happen".

 

"I should be in charge," said the blood, "because I circulate oxygen all over so without me you'd all waste away."

 

"I should be in charge," said the stomach," because I process food a! nd give all of you energy."

 

"I should be in charge," said the legs, "because I carry the body wherever it needs to go."

 

"I should be in charge," said the eyes, "because I allow the body to see where it goes."

 

"I should be in charge," said the rectum, "Because I'm responsible for waste removal."

 

All the other body parts laughed at the rectum and insulted him, so in a huff, he shut down tight.

 

Within a few days, the brain had a terrible headache, the stomach was bloated, the legs got wobbly, the eyes got watery, and the blood was toxic. They all decided that the rectum should be the boss.

 

The Moral of the story?

 

The not so very nice person is usually in charge

 

*lonely guy*

(by Dragonlover)

 

This guy was lonely and so he decided life would be more fun if he had a pet. So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet. After some discussion, he finally bought a centipede (100-legged crawler), which came in a little white box to use for his house. He took the box back home, found a good location for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to the bar to have a drink.

 

So he asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to Frank's with me and have a beer?" But there was no answer from his new pet.

This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked him again, "How about going to the bar and having a drink with me?" But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation. He decided to ask him one more time; this time putting his face up against the centipede's house and shouting,

"Hey, in there! Would you like to go to Frank's place and have a drink with me?

 

A little voice came out of the box:...........

 

I heard you the first time! I'm putting my Fu**ing shoes on."

 

*Lesson in Irish Wisdom*

(by Dragonlover)

 

Mrs. O'Brien comes to visit her son Seamus for 3 days in Dublin where he is studying. She finds out that her son lives with Vikki, a girl room-mate.

 

Mrs. O'Brien couldn't help but notice how pretty Seamus's room-mate was.

 

She suspects of a relationship between the two, and this had only made her more curious. Reading his Mum's thoughts, Seamus volunteered,

"I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Vikki and I are just room-mates."

 

About a week later, Vikki came to Seamus saying, "Ever since your mother left, I've been unable to find the silver sugar bowl. "You don't suppose she took it do you?" "Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure." So he sat down and wrote:

 

Dear Mam

 

I'm not saying that you "did" take the sugar bowl from my house, and I'm not saying that you "did not" take it. But the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you left.

 

Love Seamus

 

Several days later, Seamus received an email from his Mam which read:

 

Dear Son

 

I'm not saying that you "do" sleep with Vikki, and I'm not saying that you "do not" sleep with her. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the sugar bowl by now.

 

Love Mam

 

Lesson of the day... Don't Lie to Your Mother...especially if she is Irish.

 

WOT Horoscopes

(by Amavia)

 

 

*Aries* (21 March - 19 April)

 

You seem to be having the dark one’s luck this week. Nothing seems to be going wrong, just make sure don’t use to many of you’re luck because you might find yourself up against the dark one himself!

 

*Taurus* (20 April - 20 May)

 

You’ve been pondering about a delicate situation. Like a smiths puzzle that need to be solved, you just can’t let it go. Once you've set your mind on something, you're determined to go all the way

 

*Gemini* (21 May - 21 June)

 

Bring a spirit of cooperation to a difficult negotiation. You've been waiting for your adversary to be more forthcoming, but he or she's been looking for reassurance. Stop acting like a ignorant tavern wench and make that first move.

 

*Cancer* (22 June - 22 July)

 

You shouldn’t listen to what everybody tells you to do. Listen to own mind and not to those wool headed people. be very aware for any bad omens, this will not be a good month to spend a lot of money.

 

*Leo* (23 July - 22 August)

 

Everybody needs a little tenderness , including you! So let someone grow flowers at the place you thought you only had stone and sand. Who knows you might like it!

 

 

*Virgo* (23 August - 22 September)

 

You will have no luck in love if you don’t get up and find it. Do not be afraid to ask the person you’ve liked for a long time out. If you’re a woman then maybe dancing the sa’sara for you beloved would be a good idea.

 

*Libra* (23 September - 22 October)

 

Pat yourself on the back for your efforts. No false modesty , you did this job well and you did it in record time. If you keep up with this you might get a promotion. Just make sure you don’t depend on the dark one’s luck too much!

 

*Scorpio* (23 October - 21 November)

 

Woman will feel as forward as a farm girl at harvest, distraction from it would be a good idea.

Men will have absolutely no energy to spend on a long term relationship. Maybe a little break will do them good!

 

*Sagittarius* (22 November - 21 December)

 

Mudfish don't school with silversides, but this doesn’t mean that they cannot be found in the same waters. Maybe it is time to settle you differences with the other person. A friendship is a matter of giving and taking, you give a little you get a little in return.

 

*Capricorn* (22 December - 19 January)

 

Words will not skin the boar, much less kill it. So stop talking and start taking action! You have no time to be lazy, there is a lot of work to do and it won’t finish itself! Also make sure that you do not run out of money before the month is over

 

*Aquarius* (20 January - 18 February)

 

Don’t be a woolhead, just accept the differences between you and a beloved. There is nothing you can change about it. Once you have accepted them you’ll see that everything will run as smooth as a babies back.

 

*Pisces* (19 February - 20 March)

 

Be aware of the rattling dice in your head, because when they stop something will happen that you might not like. If you’re single it would be a good idea to stay away from the opposite sex for this month. You will only have bad luck with love

[Mystica]

 

Euromeet 2007 - madness in London

(by Corki and Talya)

 

From between Thursday 12th July until Sunday 15th, a large number of DM addicts converged on London for the inaugural DM EuroMeet. Sadly, such a large city was not prepared for the madness of a small group of frenzied Wheel of Time fans.

 

The majority of the group assembled on the Thursday afternoon, with most people coming from England, but some from Norway and even America! Once we had found out there was going to be about 13 for dinner, we decided to book a table at Pizza Hut. When we arrived the staff looked worried but managed to fit us all at a table, or I should say tables pulled together. Groups formed and we had the Norwegians at one end, Egwene and Anajon at the other speaking German and the Brits in the middle, with the Americans next to us. Unfortunately the poor waiter didn’t speak very good English and ordering took sometime. Who would think that Danya ordering a White Wine would cause so much confusion. Anyway soon things we flowing along nicely and we had the right food and drink. After this it was off to the pub across the road (well don’t want to travel too far), where a few more drinks were drank and conversations flowed. Then we were kicked out 5 minutes past 11, and it was off back to the hotel, where who ever got there first grabbed the computer, and eventually we all went off to bed.

Meal at Pizza Hut

Drinks!

 

The next Morning we all agreed to meet at 10am, to see what we all wanted to do. The majority went for an English Breakfast, but Egwene and Talya went off to do a bit of sightseeing, which involved the Italian ice cream parlour in Harrods, which I highly recommend.

 

The rest visited Covent Garden where Loki bought the entire fruit market. We all met up in Piccadilly Circus outside Waterstones at 2pm. So we invaded the Fantasy/SciFi section of the bookstore, swapping recommendations. It was then we took a quick visit to the children’s section only to come face to face with a Dalek, only Nia, Talya and Loki were brave enough to have their photo taken with the thing, which turned out quite friendly.

Nia, Talya and a Dalek

 

It was then off to meet Corki and Chilli. Finding an Aberdeen Angus Steak House on Leicester Square, we thought it would be easy to find. Poor Chilli was the first to get a little lost as it turns out there were 3 of these Steak houses!

 

After getting confused over which Aberdeen Steak House to be at in the Leicester Square area, Corki finally found his way to the group after coming back from his holiday. By this time, the group was beginning to feel hungry, so off it was to Bella Pizza. After stuffing ourselves on Italian food, the group split into two groups. Some went back to base to have a rest before the evening's activity, while the others headed off to a little gem of an ice cream shop that Egwene knew.

 

After battling the rush hour on the Central Line of the tube, the group reassembled at the hotel to relax and recuperate. A quick update on progress was posted on DM, before the group heading off to the cinema in Bayswater to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which was the main reason why this weekend was chosen to host the event. Anajon and Diamondmask caught up with the group to swell the numbers to their highest for the weekend. After a film thoroughly enjoyed by all, there was a mad hunt to find a watering hole so everyone could enjoy a quick drink before closing time and going different ways, with Corki somehow managing to catch both of the last tubes he needed to get home!

Fun and games in a photo booth after the film

 

On Saturday morning, it was off for a walk, across Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, past Albert Hall and onto Harrods, yet again for Egwene and Talya. And yes it was the Italian Ice Cream Parlour that was visited and more ice cream consumed. A visit to the Jelly Belly department where large amount of beans were brought. Then a quick trip around the store to view the out of our price range items.

A Harrod's Ice Cream!

 

Once Corki caught up with the group again, it was a quick bus journey along to Piccadilly Circus after failing to find a Starbucks for a coffee in Knightsbridge. Instead, we ended up in this little cafe that served some great food that hit the spot! After the late lunch, Hamleys, the toyshop, was invaded! After spending longer than anticipated in the shop, sightseeing was next on the agenda. Several buses later via Trafalgar Square and St Paul's Cathedral, we ended up at the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. After shortly crossing the bridge, we witnessed the bridge open - something none of us had seen before! Then it was a gently stroll along the Thames Footpath to the ex-wobbly Millennium Bridge, before more buses, this time to see Buckingham Palace. While walking towards the Palace, we saw the film crew for National Treasure 2, who were filming in the area.

Captain Loki Redfern

 

After the Palace, it was time to head back towards the hotel and get our thinking caps on for the WoT Quiz. After finding some food, and stocking up on some drinks, the quiz format was hotly debated, before Quizmistress Maria stepped in. Two teams were formed - The Dark One's Luck and The Original London Cast - and it was quiz time. After the first round of pretty straightforward questions, it was neck and neck. But it really began to heat up in the second round. The Original Musical Team got down to work and meant business, while The Dark One's Luck sat drinking, socialising and having a good time! Round 2 led to Round 3, which had some pretty horrid questions! The Original London Cast had moved into a good lead, while the Dark One's Luck didn't seem that interested anymore. It was fast approaching midnight, and we were soon kicked out of the reception room by the hotel staff. Some disappeared to bed, while the rest of us descended on Demonspawn's room, talking and generally having a good time. This lasted all night long - but sadly, what happened in that room shall only be known by those who went on DM EuroMeet 2007 since what happened on DM EuroMeet 2007 stays on DM EuroMeet 2007.

The Original London Cast

The Dark One's Luck

About the only photo not to reveal the going's on of the evening

 

As the night (technically, morning) wore on, tiredness struck many, but we managed to last but hunger was stirring, when we went out to see what was available for breakfast. With food in our bellies, the group soon began to disband after a fun-filled weekend, with many friendships having been made.

 

Firstly, thank you to everyone who turned up to make it a good weekend. Secondly, a big thanks to Egwene and her phone, which kept us together and in touch throughout the whole weekend. And finally, preparations for EuroMeet 2008 are already starting, and Ghent in Belgium is proving popular. And after the success of EuroMeet 2007 in London, there is nothing to stop the next one being just as good!

 

 

 

Introduction to Dragonmount

(by Nyneave)

 

Once, a long time ago, Dragonmount was created. It was a place to Role Play and socialize but as time passed, it was decided to split Dragonmount into two. The Community part and the Role Playing part. Think of them like the Birds and the Bees. Only not in the usual context O_O cause that would be bad...

 

The birds are the RPers. They fly in the endless skies of our imagination. And Robert Jordan's of course. They create characters, at times, quite different from their own self. Because in there lies the joy of role playing. To be someone else, to be in another place and have the opportunity to grow and develop. The Role Players are the story tellers and although they didn't create the world they RP in, they sure as hell know how to live in it and make it more interesting.

 

On the technical part, The role playing part is divided into: The People of the Light, The Congress of the Shadow, The Unaligned Races and the People of the Dragon. In each of the mentioned groups lie the different Divisions that are drawn from the Wheel of Time. The advancements in ranks go hand by hand with your character's development. The more you write, the higher your character gets.

 

The bees are the Community side. They're huddled all together in their hive, basically interacting and having fun with each other. There are the worker bees who work hard to have discussions, run projects and create activities for everyone to enjoy themselves. In the Community side you don't operate a character. All you have to do is be yourself and after exploring all the existing groups just simply find your place.

 

The Community Orgs mirror the divisions in name, but in no way do they mirror the way they operate. The different orgs represent the different groups of people that you can find in the community part. And as much as they use Wheel of Time icons, you do not role play there. The way to progress through ranks is activity, hard work and determination. Working for the community and helping it grow and prosper.

 

So here ends the story of the birds and the bees. Dragonmount style! 

 

All hail pg 13 *laughs*

 

Nyn

 

Organisations (ORG)

(coordinated by Mystica)

 

*Black Tower*

(By Hero Andros)

 

Hello, again, my friends. It is I, Hero Andros; you’re guide to the ins and outs of the Black Tower Org at Dragonmount. Seeing as how I spent most of this month without internet access I fear that I only have a brief update for everyone, but fear not for I will encompass ALL in next months article! So, without further adieu let’s soldier onward.

 

This month’s staff interview is with none other than your personal guide to the Black Tower…Me. Now you can imagine what it’s like to interview yourself…picture a lawyer questioning himself on the stand and you’ll have the right idea. I came to Dragonmount nearly four years ago, I actually found it by accident shortly after having read The Great Hunt. My original orgs that I joined were the White Tower, the Black Tower, and the Seanchan. Though leaving the Seanchan shortly after I’ve remained a loyal, and usually active, member of both the White and Black Towers. Within the Black Tower I am a Storm Leader of the Light Faction, and believe me when I say I worked hard to achieve that rank. I spent nearly a year as a Soldier before I skyrocketed to the rank of Attack Leader in less than two months, with the promotion to Storm Leader shortly there-after. What truly peaked my interest about the Black Tower, when I joined DM, was that I’ve always been fond of magic and it seemed like the place for me…this was well before I knew even what an Asha’man was, or that Rand al’Thor was even the Dragon Reborn. Though I may have joined in ignorance I’ve never regretted that decision. It is truly difficult to choose which activity available at the Black Tower that I enjoy the most, though if push came to shove it would certainly have to be the OP fights, that’s what kept me hooked through all of my very long LOA’s. Having been a member for nearly four years I’ve seen a lot of changes within the BT, some of which I was a bit hesistant at first but seeing what it has become today I can’t imagine how far we’ve come. With a host of dedicated members, and a talented staff, I believe that the BT will grow into something even more than what it is now. Vague though that answer is the BT is already everything it can be at the present, but the future always holds something new for us.

 

Now that I can step off the stand I want to go through our promotions for July and then, sadly, call it a day. Promoted to Soldier are: LewsTherin, Damon, Deronius, and Pe Ell. To Dedicated: LordOfTheDawn. To Asha’man: Dragonspawn, and Xavier. We also have a special promotion of ShadowMaker to Attack Leader of the Shadow Faction. Congratulations to everyone, use your new-found powers wisely.

 

Next month I’ll be back in full swing, dear reader, with a new Staff Interview and a complete catch up of the goings on around the Black Tower.

 

Until then, May the Light shine on you…and as always: Beware of Demi.

 

Hero Andros

Storm Leader.

 

[Mystica]

*Illuminators*

(By Wes aka DreadPirateRo)

 

As most of you are already aware, we are all about creativity and would love to see you pop in to talk about anything from painting, sig making to writing and cooking. Let me give you a brief guide to some of the things that we have going on at the moment.

 

The main Illuminators Board:

 

Welcome to the July edition of the Hornsounder: Illuminator’s Page! I’ve posted a similar version of this article before, but since the move and the changes, I figured that a refresher couldn’t hurt! For those that are new or have just not had time to drop by since we moved, here is a quick roundup of who we are, how we are organized, and what we are working on.  Kind of a “Guide to The Illuminators”!

 

Remember, Illuminators love company! If a project or topic catches your eye, consider this an invitation to jump right in!

 

There are 8 Illuminator boards in total.

 

We are 1) an Organization with a main board, and 7 Child Boards or Chapterhouses (Most are easy to join, just go to Usergroups and register as an Illuminator). They are:

 

2) The General Chapterhouse

3) The Artist’s Chapterhouse

4) The Smith’s Chapterhouse

5) The Crafter's Chapterhouse

6) The Scribe’s Chapterhouse

7) The Critique Circle  (a little less easy to join. You have to swear a few oaths and complete at least one heroic deed).

 

 

The main Illuminators board displays a number of projects that anyone can take part in at any time. The Grand Master of all Illuminators is Matalina, with Cleopatra as her second in command., and U4ea assisting as General Mod.  They make the rules, run the show, and spank you if you misbehave or take their chocolate. Don’t ask me how I know about that. Just follow the rules and you will be fine. Now, about those projects! Here is a current list with links. Nifty, eh? Thank Cleo!

 

Current Projects

 

General Illuminator Projects

 

2007 Short Story Anthology - http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,18053.0.html

2007 Poetry Anthology - http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,18054.0.html

 

 

Scribe's Chapter House

 

World Building Project Creation Thread - http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,10069.0.html

Word Building Project Story Thread - http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,11680.0.html

World Building The Book of Suras - http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,17603.0.html

 

Crafter's Chapter House

 

Cookbook Recipe Submissions - http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,18055.0.html

Wheel of Time Quilt - http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,12016.0.html

 

 

And here are a few names you should get to know around this place!

 

Chapter House Masters:

The Artist CM: Zardi (2nd: Faelene)

The Crafters CM: Jaydena (2nd: nephitess)

The Scribes CM: U4ea (2nd: SamVimes aka Rufae)

 

Project Leads:

Scribes World Building: DreadPirateRoberts aka Wes

Scribes Character Building: Crihavoc

Artists Yearly Calendar: Zyrshnikashnu

Artists Sig Auction: Ata

Crafters Cookbook: Kivam

 

And here is an awesome gallery showing some of the Artists works!

 

http://joniwarden.com/ArtistChapterHouseProjects/index.php?cat=2

 

So come on by!  Join a project, a chapterhouse, or several and meet some awesome DM’ers!

 

[Mystica]

*Ogier*

(by Taymist)

 

July saw more new discussions at the Ogier as Amethea, the Librarian, brought a range of topics into the open. First up was the subject of which books members would like to see as films and that was followed by a comparison of everyone’s 5 favourite authors. Non members are welcome to stop by and join in.

 

A warm welcome home was issued to Justin, Jeam and Besolyn, all of whom returned recently and steins were raised to new member, Lord Jameson, whose son was born early in the month. Mother and baby are both fine and the wee lad has been named Gabriel David Wesley. Congrats LJ.

 

Other new members for July were Lorei, Valacae and Naeann. Welcome all.

 

The Ogier Builders were busy this month as a new project started on a Temple. In a light Role Play form, all members have been eagerly following their progress and the gathering of varied and wonderful materials from all over Randland.

 

More promotions for May as Amethea and Chang were promoted to Tai’Wansho, Shamaeso was promoted to Deathwatch Guard Commander, Ryoki became a Deathwatch Guard, Jeam made Alantin and both Cu’chulainn and Naeann were promoted to the first rank and we await their choice of path. Congratulations all.

 

Do feel free to stop by the Stedding, visit with the Ogier and try their wonderful Ice Chocolate Stout.

 

[Mystica]

*Seanchan*

(by Cadsuane)

 

July with the Seanchan mafia…

 

Don Empy is out of town and off gallivanting somewhere with Yveva, who wore a pretty white dress… or so I assume. Really, I think they just wanted to get away from Hax. He’s been acting kind of weird lately. Well, weirdER. We think the Feds may have gotten to him.

 

Now, “What is the import of this?” you may ask. Well, basically it means that our motley mafioso crew was left under the control of Father (what else would one call Mother’s hubby? Daddy?), Segurant Trevalaer, and ME, the fabulous and ever-so-sensible Cadsuane.  *pauses for snickering to subside*

 

Of course, Seggie and I take our capo duties quite seriously, and so nothing untoward has happened. Ummm, except that one thing. But I won’t discuss that here. O_o

 

Our move to the new digs went pretty smoothly, and "this thing we have" is settling in nicely. Our unofficial dance-caster, the lovely Mendorah, is back reporting on the ups and downs, ins and outs, and spins and kicks of the contestants of So You Think You Can Dance. Simon Cowell, eat your heart out!  Tenshin and Horn have led recent gaming discussions about Wii games and Guitar Hero, while Soy Boyo, Ironcross, Reyler, and others keep us on our toes in the movie quote thread. Film discussions have included Forrest Gump, Harry Potter 5, and the movies of M. Night Shymalan.

 

This week is a Simpsons theme week, in celebration of the new Simpsons movie! Be sure to hi-diddly d’oh! your way over our way for a pint of Duff and a discussion of the best and worst of the Simpsons’ last 18 years. No really, come visit. The Family is making you an offer you can’t refuse…

 

 

 

*Shayol Ghul*

(By Far Dareis Mai)

 

The end of June/July has been a rather quiet time for the Org, with the summer beckoning to our real lives, but look forward to much more activity as school begins to start again!

 

New Members – Lightful’s

Let's welcome our newest members for June/July!

Lord of the Shadow

Xavier

Deronius

 

June/July Promotions:

Congratulate these members on their latest promotion!

Pe Ell to Trolloc (Shadowspawn Faction)

Vemynal to Trolloc (Shadowspawn Faction)

Deronius to Trolloc (Shadowspawn Faction)

 

Old Members Come Again:

Saidintrue (Dreadlord)

 

 

Faction Overview: Within Shayol Ghul, when you have proven yourself worthy, you have the option to choose three different paths within the Org. We call these Factions. Each faction adds their own unique flavor to our Org, and here is what is new with each:

 

Black Ajah: The Black Ajah has had a relatively quiet month. Our very own Haxorsist got a real life job (how dare he!), and Moir has been popping in to visit sporadically. Shadowmaker and Eli have been popping in off and on to say hi, Far has been out doing fun real life stuff, and Zyr got a nasty case of sunburn a couple weeks ago. We all warned him out that pesky sunlight...

 

Shadowspawn: The Shadowspawn have had plenty of new arrivals this past month. Pe Ell, Vemy, and Dero have received their shiny new cookpots, and are on the prowl for new blood. Twitch has scored as Dark One for the month of July…making this his third term as DO in four months. Deronius managed to get himself raised to the next rank in record time, and has been tearing up our Quote Game.

 

Dreadlords: The Dreadies are quiet, but as we all know that means nothing in SG. With Teilyen temporarily taking over for Gerrendus while he is on LOA, our games are going well. TheMasterDude (TMD) has been keeping up a regular appearance, and managed to spam every thread in 25 pages of our Spam board. Way to go, TMD!

Games at Shayol Ghul:

The games at Shayol Ghul have been hopping, as usual. We have a couple rounds of Deathmatches currently running: TheDemigod vs: Twitch, and Poledra vs. Shadowmaker. Results have yet to be tallied. We also have a game called The Wheel running. It’s a game that revolves around posting the fastest in a certain amount of time. Games are a fun and fast way to gain points in this Org, which in turn allows you to move up through the ranks. The Quote Game is still a hit, surpassing 30 pages, and a great way to accrue points. Check us out!

 

Far Dareis Mai, Black Ajah Chosen

[Mystica]

*THE KIN*

(by Taymist)

 

The DM move saw only a brief hiatus at The Kin as the members were not about to allow that to interrupt their normal spam fest.

 

The Spammers’ Challenge thread, is up to page 395 and post 4733 and counting. The usual Word Game and Word Association were revived too and are steaming along at a great rate of knots.

 

Twinnie received many congratulations later in the month as her brand new nephew, Patrick Liam, was welcomed into the world. Auntie Twin shared photos of herself with the new arrival.

 

This week has also seen a new member in the shape of Falco, a recent arrival to DM. Welcome to him.

 

 

*The Wagons of the Tuatha'an*

(by Poledra Sedai)

 

Tinkerings of the Tuatha'an

 

Recently, the Tuatha'an have undergone a big transformation. William Sedai and Poledra teamed up to reinvigorate the Tinkers with a new Ranking system and new discussions! Since then, Tuatha'an activity has improved substantially, and we look forward to even more discussions and fun later on!

 

These changes have sparked many new members to join and old members to return. The Tuatha'an would like to welcome Kara J, Lord of the Dawn, Grandpa G, and Safia al-Maaz to their fires. Also, they would like to welcome Shiaine, Tiren Sormia, Salome Aviye, WinterMist, and Alarwyn Liande back home. It is great to have all of you with us.

 

Raisings

 

The Tinkers are pleased to announce their four newest members. The new Rahein Dore are Lord of the Dawn, Safia al-Maaz, and Kara J. Grandpa G, as a visitor, was named the Honorary Gleeman of the Tuatha'an.

 

Based on her previous activity and contributions to the Tinkers, Charis al'Aslan was granted the rank of Shain'dar, and Shiaine, Tiren Sormia and Alarwyn Liande were granted Souvra a'Shain on similar grounds. Congratulations, everyone!

 

Salome has been named Da'es Aan, meaning Great One, in honor of her extensive contributions to the Tinkers and in recognition of her role in their formation.

 

Current Events

 

The Black Tower raided the Tuatha'an for a week in July. On and on the raiders killed their dogs, burned their wagons, and destroyed their instruments. But the Tinkers were determined to keep the Way of the Leaf, and their courage amid adversity inspired Lord of the Dawn to join the wagons of the Tuatha'an!

 

The Tinkers held their first Annual 4th of July Ball on July 1st that lasted until the 14th. There were song and poetry contests involved and the Tuatha'an would like to thank their visitors and contestants for their valuable time. Loreina alLandragoran placed first in the song contest for her song of saidin. Cadsuane placed first in the poetry contest for her limerick dedicated to Haxorsist. Thanks to all for stopping by. We hope for this to be another special time for everyone to dance and be merry next year, too.

 

The Song will also be making its reappearance soon for the Tinkers. Poledra was named the Editor and has been working hard on it for months. The quarterly newsletter will be linked to from the Tuatha'an boards once it is completed.

 

We hope to see many visitors over the coming weeks, to laugh, to sing, to dance, and to listen to Grandpa G's stories. You're always welcome to rest at our fires wherever you find us! May the Light shine on you all, and may Peace favor your travels!

[Mystica]

*White Tower*

(By Bridmorgan)

 

 

The biggest thing to hit the White Tower this month is Harry Potter week sponsored by the Blue Ajah!  During the week prior to the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, WT members could sign up for the House Championship and participate in daily discussions regarding the book.  There was a great interest and many WT members were sorted by the Sorting Hat into their respective houses and participated in daily House Cup challenges. The results are:

 

Fourth Place:  Ravenclaw with 429 points!

Third Place:  Gryffindor with 620 points!

Second Place:  Hufflepuff with 721 points

FIRST PLACE and HOUSE CUP CHAMPIONS:  SLYTHERIN with 745 POINTS!!

 

Well done Slytherin and a great job to all those that participated!

 

Challenges:

Day 1 - 100 words or more on why you belong in your House

Day 2 - Write the last 50 words to the end of Deathly Hallows

Day 3 - Caption Contest (one picture per House)

Day 4 - 5 Verses of a Sorting Hat Song (one song per House)

Day 5 -  Harry Potter Quiz

Day 6 - Riddles

Day 7 - Quotes - Which book and chapter without using the books

Day 8 - Death Pool - Pick 4 Characters you think will die.

 

The excitement and fun continues with the "Your Favorite Part of Book 7" thread.  Warning!  This thread does contain spoilers!

 

Congratulations to the Blue's for putting on such a great, fun and entertaining week!!!

 

Also up at the White Tower is a Personality Test.  The Myers-Brigg test has been used for years, both in the workplace and in schools.  Of course it has been used when assessing those that might need assessing... ;)  It is probably the best personality test out there.  I have taken it twice myself and the most recent results was INFP.  If you want to know what that means, you should go check out the Personality Test thread at the WT!

 

Novices/Algai, Accepted/Manshima, Aes Sedai/der'Manshima - July

 

July has seen nine new members to the White Tower and four raisings and another one in the works!  Welcome to the latest Novices and Algai and Congratulations to the latest Accepted and Manshima! 

 

Novices

Mexi al'chilli

lewstherin

Rymena

Yelenia

Siemba

 

Accepted

Zarine - Blue

Naeann - Yellow

Loreina al'Landragoran

Minuet - Raised to Accepted last month, but has now chosen an Ajah - Green

 

Aes Sedai

Dah'mir - currently ongoing

 

Algai

Thorum

Verbal32

Doselan

Deleios

 

Manshima

Damon Devilkin

 

Bondings

Elgee Sedai bonded to Damon Devilkin (Warder Bond)

Talya Sedai bonded to Doselan (Warder Bond)

 

Discussions:

 

Green Ajah - Cancer -  A thread where members shared their stories of battling cancer either themselves or loved ones.  Members also shared their thoughts on what they feel is causing such an increase in the amount of cancer cases.  A wonderful thread!  Our thoughts to all of you and your families that are battling this disease.

 

White Ajah - Ethics Topic - The Question of Moral Relativism.  The Whites have a discussion on how one sees Morality.  Is it black and white or many shades of grey?  Objective or subjective?  Another thought provoking discussion from the Whites!

[Mystica]

*Wolfkin*

(by Taymist)

 

 

July has been quiet again for the Wolfkin as they settled into their new home following the DM move to new boards but they are settling in nicely now and back to their usual fun loving selves. There were many new members and a warm welcome was proferred to Siemba, Feral, Chaelca, Maha Kali, Chuck and Deleios.

 

The latest issue of Pawprints was released last week in a slightly shorter version than usual but with a book review, poetry and more wolfie information to while away some time. Please do take a read and let us know what you think.

 

Boyd opened a Relaxation Lounge this month and the familiar bars and pubs were reopened as well. There was an impromptu visit to the Stedding by several Accepted of the White Tower and Doselan chanced his luck, dropping some chili on the Org Leader’s head… what can we say? Pups will be pups.

 

Take a look at the new Nature pics that have been posted. There are always new additions as several members take advantage of summer breaks to go camping and walking with super results.

 

Finally, Raisings this month saw Amethea, Talya and Dicetosser make Youngling, Tigara became a Dreamer, choosing the Seers Guild and Taymist was the first to reach the Artisan rank, becoming a Journeywoman of the Healer Guild. Other celebrations saw birthdays for Karaj, Argetlam and Emrys and a party was also underway for Moose and Delenn who recently adopted each other. Congratulations everyone.

 

[Mystica]

 

 

Community News

(by Taymist)

 

Big news this month was of course the move for Dragonmount to new boards. Some posts were lost and there were initial issues for members over the board colours but after some perseverance and hard work from the Staff, things have settled down once more and Org business continues as usual, if a little quieter in many places.

 

A side issue of this is the decision to finally move all off site boards back to DM proper. The server we are assured now has the capability to host all the extra activity and forums. The projected date for completion of this is January 1st 2008. Reactions have been mixed so far and discussions are still ongoing with Jason taking time to have talks with concerned Org Leaders. The White Tower Org will be the first to undergo the move, acting as guinea pigs for the rest of us.

 

The HS will keep you posted on any further news.

 

 

 

Robert Jordan's Blog

(by Taymist)

 

Wilson, RJ's brother/cousin posted on July 23rd to let us know that the big man is off to the Mayo Clinic for his 90 day check up. He'll be posting to let us know how it went once he returns to Charleston.

 

In spite of having a rough day, Mr Jordan's appetite seemed healthy enough as he had indulged in a hearty breakfast of Sauerkraut and a Hamburger!!

 

Wilson also let us know that its Harriet's birthday on August 4th... we all extend Happy Birthday wishes to her for her special day.