Duke Drachen to attack Nocturne!

Castle Nocturne, known as Cormick of the East, this city in the swamps is home to just over 100 people from the Shade Realm and Alluvium who have been found a way to live together despite their differences.

Things may change, however, as the Dukes of Analova have spoken. In a rare meeting at Council Hills, the Dukes of 12 counties in Analova gathered together to oust Drachen from prince-hood following the evidence gathered by Sigismund of House Mendoza.

The news of this betrayal caused Drachen to immediately take a portion of his guard south to the Kaylinn Swamps, declaring his intent to get revenge by destroying Nocturne and the whole House Mendoza with it.

Will the little city in the swamp stand up to the might of Duke Drachen or shall they fall like a house of cards?  Time will tell.

From Factionbook: Chalice of Thought - Nordurheim

In response to the great injustice that was Maarek’s annexation of the four outland principalities into the Kingdom, Kragan declared war on the Kingdom of Praelia in 26 ACI.  The war was not the wisest move, one must admit, but to the viking mentality there is always a reason to fight and die.  Maarek sent the Order of the Talbot, and a contingent of Analovan militia to change Kragan’s mind.  There was going to be a huge battle, but Kragan’s ally - a Chalice of Thought shaman - told him of the future.  He said that a greater victory would be held by tongues rather than fists.  So, in an amazingly out-of-character move for the viking leader, he agreed to parlay at Skoal Pass.  Here a retinue of the vikings and knights met to discuss terms of war.  

Three days of discussions, honor duels and drinking took place.  Now I wasn’t there but from what I hear the Knights of the Talbot Grand Marshall was quite able to drink horn for horn with the Conqueror.  So, in the end there was no bloodshed.  A treaty was forged between the Marshall and the Viking.  All of the land, from Kragan’s Coast in the north, down the mouth of the Prahova, across the fields to the western border of Drakwald and the Canady Mountains would become Nordurheim.   Land owned Kragan, governed as part of the Kingdom but laws made by Kragan’s way - so long as none patently violated Altarian Law.  Thus, the kingdom within a kingdom of Nordurheim was created.

Ramon's Travels: The Pinewoods

The Mountains of Malone are surrounded by the Pinewoods of Tor.  These woods are massive straight trees that have grown for millenia.  Some of the trees are so massive that they are over 200 feet in circumference.   The canopy of of the pinewoods can blot out the sun in many areas, and even the wind and snow are lessened within the protection of the great pinewoods. 

Toran villages and towns in the area are often Valeerian or Wildman ran.  So very few others choose to live this far north.  Some Valeerians have built treehouse towns to protect themselves from the creatures of the forest floor, although this does little against those who can fly or climb.  

Wildmen villages are more often on the outskirts of the pinewoods, having lacked the technology to build well within and preferring a more nomadic life.   Wildmen do speak, when they speak to outsiders, of spirits that live within the pinewoods.  These seem to be related to the strange ruins that can be found in and around the woods.  Clearly some lost civilization once held ground here, but it has long since disappeared without a trace of the apparent culture remaining, only some art on the walls of their ruins.

Ramon's travels: Westershire

The capital of Krymm and the most oddly named city in Praelia is Westershire.  Named by and explorer who was so far from his mark that he thought he was on the west coast, this bustling city sits on the south banks of Lake Overturf.   A marvel to the land, the city is an engineering wonder.  

When Nevermore was destroyed, the Engineers moved far south and set up their new home in Westershire.  Home of the Helwig University of Mechanics, Westershire has many advancements that seem like sorcery to others.   From flowing water in houses to the steam rail system that moves high above the city, engineers from all across the kingdom come here to witness the newest and most amazing things.  

One of the most interesting aspects of the city is the Carbone Tower that allows the two airships of the Engineering Lodge to dock and fly between Nicholshire and Westershire.  These facilitate speedy travel, though scary.

On the Field: Safety of Weapons

Like with shields, we have spent decades researching and developing the safest gear possible for sports reenactment.  From the oldest dowel rods and swing set parts, to the modern Class 4 gear, much thought and study has gone into learning what makes weapons safer than others.

For the longest time, 5/8ths was the gold standard for padding.  Why was this the standard in so many groups?  The answer is more pragmatic than scientific.  The padding we could purchase came with a 5/8 inch wall so it was just law.  

Over time we experimented, and found that simplifying to 1/2 inch exterior padding on a striking surface was not only just as safe, but often more accurate as weapons often were compressed below the 5/8 inch rule anyway.    Likewise we found that 1/3 inch was sufficient for non striking surfaces as a minimum.  

Other considerations such as tip padding have been unparalleled in research.  How to make the strongest 'horse pill' while maintaining structural integrity and safety.  Ultimately the 1 inch compressed pill on non-striking tips proved to be the safest around.  This was contrary to the popular belief that a longer, softer tips were best.  The science showed that the longer the tip, the greater chance of it bending and breaking the core through. 

Other considerations that we improved upon were things like points and eyesocket safety.  The truth of the matter is that no weapon is going to be 100% safe in the hands of an unsafe combatant.  When all of the factors were equalled out, 95% of the time injury was not due to negligence or unsafe weaponry but unsafe and uncontrolled people.  To this end we focus more on teaching control first, and it was no surprise to discover that injury diminished with better control.  Thus, the weapons were never the problem at all. 

Around the Principalities: Thieves in Clarksville

Thieves on the rise in Clarksville!

A series of thefts has the citizens of Clarksville on alert as they fear for their goods and safety.  These thieves have made their way throughout the city for the past few nights stealing money and anything else they can get from houses and travelers.  The only description of these thieves is that they are short like pigmies.  

Travelers in the area are advised to be on alert.

Lore Du Jour: The Astral world

The next realm we are discussing is known as the Astral world, or the Aether.  This is the land spoken of by the mystics of the traveling circus who would tell you that the animals and plants have spirits they talk to.  They speak of this as existing "above Alluvium but not in the sky.  

The Aether is not regarded as real by the Church.  Unlike the Netherworld, which the evil necromancers have shown to some degree to exist, the Astral world seems to be a catch all for any mystical effect that the person describing it wants you to believe in.  From mind reading to predictions, they all claim the Astral World as part and parcel to their ability.  

Again, this is entirely subject to the "practitioner" of the Astral World magic, there is no evidence such a place ever has or does exist.

The Trading Post: Vinyl Car Sticker

Meleeguy Sword Vinyl Car Sticker

White vinyl car window sticker with Melee's Single Sword guy!

Perfect for showing your Melee Pride or making a Melee Family.

Bardic Chestnuts: Jack Smythe

When asked about the man called Jack Smythe, his personal bard came forward and presented this tale.  

“Jackson Orlando Wolfgang Lexington Smythe was the son of a British queen and a Romanian king. The two had wed when they were young to complete a peace treaty between the lands. Jack grew up spoiled. He was pampered and took care of. His mother did not want him to learn to fight, but his father thought that if his son is to be a king someday that he should know some fighting. So Jack's father had snuck Jack to sword fighting lessons. He became handy with a sword, but not that great. Jack was getting bored just sitting around waiting to be a king. So one day at the age of 17 he left his castle and took out with a bunch of pirates that had docked near his home. The band of pirates called themselves Triad. They were under the command of Captain Coronado. 

Jack grew loyal to the faction and most of all Captain Coronado. He did his best to help build the band. One thing that Jack liked about the captain was that he was an aristocrat one time as well. He thought it odd a gentleman pirate, but oh well. Jack stood behind his captain for a long time. It was one day that Coronado announced that he would be sailing for other shores alone. So there was this whole debate about who was going to be leader. Jack didn't want it because he was new at the whole being at sea thing and didn't know how to run a ship. 

One day when Captain Coronado was away, One-Eye announced that he was starting his own fleet. Jack being loyal to Coronado thought this to be treacherous. He didn't like the idea so he ventured off on his own for a bit. He came back with an idea that he start his own armada of seamen, yet remain loyal to the main army of One-Eye. Two fleets acting on their own but acting as one. One-Eye didn't even give Jack the time of day. So he went and begin recruiting for his own fleet. These members however were poached from the faction Triad. 

At this point, Jack was still loyal to Coronado, but the wily Spaniard, furious at Jack for his treachery, forced him and his group to walk the plank to be fed to the twenty hungry mako sharks that were waiting below. The band was tossed into the sea and to their relief, there the sharks were friendly to the castaways.

Even though the Coronado came to scold One Eye for his treatment of Coronado’s favorite son, it was too late for Jack and his crew.  They were favored by the Makos and sent on a new destiny.  After floating for a while, Jack and his crew found a small island where they lived for several months. They made a raft and found mainland. They picked up another member and stole a ship, and the rest is history.”

Proving Grounds: Move and Attack

Moving around during a battle can be very advantageous.   Sometimes it can be confusing to new players, especially with techniques which seem to offer limitless counterattacks.  The system is simple.  

Each turn of combat is broken down into 2 actions.  An action can be to use an Aptitude, move, talk to others, attack or defend.   Attacking or defending always cancels your actions and ends your turn, so you must move or use any Aptitudes first.

This means you can move and then attack, but you can not attack then move - unless a technique allows for this.  Techniques overrule most every rule as written.

A wise observer might notice that one can effectively move twice, this is true as well.  One could lockpick a door and move through it, or move across the room to a chest and lift it.  The options are limitless.

If a foe attacks you during an action and cancels, you may start again once you are free of impediment.