Ubique's Weekly

A Mutual Endeavors Publication

Issue #84 ~ 16 June 2007

The Blurb

Recently I wrote a new mission statement, and it goes a little something like this:

Once upon a time, there was a dream known as Rhy'Din and the Red Dragon Inn. Members of the infamous internet service provider known as America Online indulged themselves in this dream on a daily basis for one long and powerful decade. Then came a dark day in freeform role-playing history in which AOL decided to stop supporting volunteer chatroom hosts dedicated to monitoring these gaming chatrooms. A great uproar shook the community, and years of debate resulted in a mass exodus of players leaving America Online and moving their toys and games instead to a self-preserved website known more commonly today as Dragon's Mark.

We are those who were left behind. We are the select few who continue to fight the good fight, who still believe that freeform role-playing can exist and flourish on the still-standing best chat service provider in the nation, perhaps even the world. Though the majority of us are firm supporters of AOL (particularly now that it's free) and the freeform role-playing that continues here to this day, we do not at all believe ourselves superior. Mutual Endeavors was an organization created by players for players. We separate ourselves from many of the larger role-playing communities by not claiming to be the authority on anything at all. All we want to do is play, keep the politics out of the picture, and enjoy ourselves.

Our firm and steadfast belief is that communication is the key to good role-playing. Players need to keep their fellow players informed of thoughts and ideas as they develop. For any good storyline, however brief or in depth it may be, to be successful, relevant information must be shared and circulated at all times. We are players, and our characters are our parts. If we don't know the script, regardless of the frequency of ad lib situations, the show will be a complete and utter failure. Miscommunication only leads to silly and pointless arguments, rotten vegetables being tossed on stage, and spectators leaving their stands in disappointment. To succeed, we all must be aware of a mutual understanding.

Role-playing is a game, and games are meant to be fun. Even though we're writing our own rules as we go along, there still remains one universal truth. What is freeform role-playing? We refer you to the knowledge that came before us. Regardless of how it is written, one thing stands out above all others. It was said before, but it never hurts to be said again. Communication is key. Mutual Endeavors embraces that concept to its fullest potential.

Top Story!

Mutual Endeavors on the web is now new and improved!  Over the past couple of weeks there have been a large number of changes, mostly visual.  The most obvious change is in the graphics department.  We've hired on a new Ink Wire Associate who has yet to be given a proper title.  I've been tossing around a large handful of ideas, but nothing seems to stand out as the perfect name yet.  For now, we'll simply be referring to her as Mel.

It all started when one of our readers, known as Tin, contacted me via instant message to ask if she could help with anything.  As most of you know, I've been looking to hire on new Ink Wire Associates to help me with compiling the newsletter week to week.  Tin asked if she could help, and I asked her what it was she could do or would like to do.  She mentioned an ability to construct graphics, so I said to her: "If you could make us a spiffy Mutual Endeavors banner, that'd be great!" And lo! She did!

So impressed was I with her banner and the icons she created for us, that I wrote an elated little post on my own personal journal. The banner and the discussion can be viewed publically here: http://ehzoterik.livejournal.com/371820.html -- And as you can see, that's where Mel came into the picture.  In brief, she volunteered herself to create a new layout for the Mutual Endeavors Community Livejournal.  In the following weeks, she outdid herself and made me extremely, super-duper, words can't even describe it, happy.

As listed in the classifieds section of this newsletter, anyone and everyone is free to join the Mutual Endeavors Livejournal Community, provided of course that you have an LJ of your own.  If you don't have one, you should get one.  It's a great way to stay in touch with your fellow role-playing friends.  But even if you don't want to devote the time and effort to writing your own little blog statements, don't worry.  At the very least you'll be able to comment on posts made to the community journal.  Failing that, there's also the Mutual Endeavors forum.

Mel took the layout she constructed for the community journal and carried it over to our Mutual Endeavors Forums.  It looks absolutely beautiful, and I love how well the two sites match up with each other.  This unity has inspired me to recently purchase a domain name.  Within the next several months we are hoping to acquire server space and have a brand new ad free website up and running, solely devoted to our newly written mission statement (see above).

We are players, and we take our playing very seriously.  Allow me a moment to once again publically thank Mel for all the hard work she has put into prettying up our sites.  Please check them out, readers.  I don't want it to all be for naught.

Storyline Spotlight

Looking for someone to write me an article on the current state of the RDI Community.  I'd really like a large article detailing all its changes over the past two years.  Including the move from AOL to the new Dragon's Mark.  Ideally, this should be someone who knows a whole lot more about the DM community than any of us Mutual Endeavors people.  Though anyone with a keen sense of research capability is more than welcome to submit an article for review.  Consider this a contest!

This Just In

Based on the updates that were sent to me last week, and the one or two additional ones that were sent in this week, I don't have anything to add that looks storyline Headline worthy.  I just might not be seeing it, though.  That's sort of why I need a Headline Editor.  Though, the more I think about it I may need to condense two jobs into one.  Anyone interested in compiling character and storyline news for me week to week should contact me in the usual fashion. The usual fashion means send me an e-mail.  Please do not instant message me.

In Other News...

You love me, you really love me!  Last week I received a very large chunk of individual character updates. Sadly, however, I didn't find the time to sit down and hack out a newsletter for your reading pleasure.  Not to fret!  I saved all that information and have it all ready for printing this week.  Thanks to everyone who sent me news to include in this edition!

Ambrose (his sullen craft):  Recently the Elder was spotted at the Rambling Rose Tavern after 'accidentally' summoning Kymeera. What his intentions mean are difficult to say, but it can't be good.

Anthony (GuardianOfNyght):  This mysterious individual hasn't been seen in almost a month, and it's certainly got at least one lady somewhat nervous. Perhaps one of those that wants him dead has finally caught up to him? Only time will tell.

Cassandra Tyra (Against Descent):  Within the past couple of weeks, the Seer has been seen lurking about the Rambling Rose Tavern.  On one occasion she very nearly killed her little brother.  On another she acted as stand-in bartender and kicked him out of the tavern. Something strange is going on.

Dainichi Kin (Raise or foId):  Rumor has it that the polite Japanese gentleman has bought an ice cream parlor nearby!

Dris (BardGaIIant):  First of all, what's with this cherry farm? Is Icarus trying to drive him crazy or what? Secondly, he also learned from the voracious half-dragon that one of his nephews was in town looking for him. Great. Just great.

Icarus Marcotte (SubtIe Iies):  After hiring several hundred illegal Mexican immigrants to man his cherry farm, Icarus accidentally found one of Dris's nephews, Quinn Norcross. Hospitable as always, Icarus housed the newcomer and maybe hit on him a little. Is Icarus out to fondle Dris's entire family tree? Who knows.

Irina Braeden (Irina Braeden): What's up with the white blond haired artist behind Bright Suns these days?  Irina went out on a third, yes, -third date- with Tobias (Tobias Garret) this past Saturday and he even gave her flowers! as a makeup present for not calling her for a week.  She's shifted to wearing short shorts that show off her long legs instead of her favorite pair of ratty jeans when she goes out.   Not to mention she met Quinn (Quinn Norcross), who's Dris's (BardGaIIant) handsome nephew and who seems to share the Bard's penchant for flirting and getting Irina to blush at the drop of a hat.  And she hung out with Mike (MichelangeIo H) and Allen (A Flaming Flamer), both at the Rose and at an impromptu pizza party at her house the last weekend.  Are things looking up for Irina?  Well, the Universe must be ending, as the Artist and Morgan actually engaged in some friendly and playful flirting last week.   Stay tuned to find out more.

Jame (Deusaverruncet):  The glitterboy's visits have become more frequent around the Taverns and such lately. The earlier disappearance remains unquestioned, and unexplained. The story is boring anyway. For now things are quiet and undisturbed. What he's seeking most now a days is enjoyable company.

James Tanner (Myriad Myndz): The gentleman (there are some who would argue against that term) gambler has been keeping an extreemly low profile since his run in with a certain feral fae. The last anyone saw of him he was taking supplies aboard his ship/casino. Looked then like he was planning for a seige.

Jolen (Truth Denyed):  The timid young man has finally put the latest gift his benefactor has given him to use. And so it is that Jolen is now the owner/operator of a small tavern here in Rhydin. Currently the sign by the door remains blank as he has yet to think of a decent name. Various personages have scrawled several different things into the wood, but Jolen just keeps putting out fresh blanks. Maybe he's hoping someone else will think up something he likes for him!

Kyleen Martel (KyIeen MarteI):  She hasn't been up to too much mischief. After finding herself in a rather boring rut, she attempted to take a night on the town. After Flirting up and embarrassing one glittery rock star, She had a run in with nightmares made real, and hasn't had a decent night's sleep since. Maybe ruts aren't so bad after all.

Legion (Myriad Myndz):  The wired one has been keeping himself locked away in one of the Valkonan Family's spare rooms for quite some time. About the only ones who do see him are members of the family itself when he makes an abrupt apperance to grab a byte to eat, or argue some point of Time/Space relationships with Carolyn.

Mesteno (Bronze Mesteno):  Mesteno seems to have spent the past week in the company of (and interrogating!) beings that claim to be fallen angels. He's not sure yet whether he's right to be suspicious of them but judging by the consistent surliness it seems he's chosen to believe all guilty until proven innocent. His bad mood probably hasn't been helped by the damage caused by a particularly savage brawl he engaged in the weekend prior in the name of fun. On the bright side, the heron that eats the koi carp in his garden seems to have lost its appetite since the fish have begun to glow strange colours.

Morgan Knight (Morgan Rampage):  We have it on good authority that the rich playboy has been recently celebrating the arrival of his parents coming to Rhy'Din. There's some high-to-do about time travel and saving them from the brink of death circling around the rumor mill.  Mr. & Mrs. Knight were also spotted recently at the Rambling Rose Tavern. It seems like a good year for families.

Penrith Towley (Aversion Toward):  No, R'cha! Felines do not make good matchmakers (see below). In any case, thanks to his bondmate's blunt intervention, the Seeker Veritas recently went on a picnic -- not a date! -- with his good friend Stormraven. Nobody has seen Penrith, or the ghatta, or the healing adept recently to find out how that went, though.

Quinn Norcross (Quinn Norcross):  Yes! It's true! The rumors don't lie! What we have here is one of the famous S. Driscol's nephews.  He's come to down looking for his uncle, a mission placed on him by his mother.  He's not the only one.  Rumor has it his sister's in town as well.  Will they be staying or is this only a temporary adventure?

R'cha (Iionpride):  The ghatta has been busy playing matchmaker between Stormraven and her bondmate, Penrith. Hey, felines make good matchmakers, right?

Salvador Delahada (Karmic Venganza):  The hunter made a trip to Barcelona this past weekend. He and the sinner parted ways when they arrived in Spain and tended to their own unique businesses.  After returning from his trip, Salvador dropped in on the Rose only to be kicked out by his sister, Cass, who was currently tending, for opening his mouth and being a surly ass. Again. This should be no surprise to people by now.

Sinjin Fai (Sinjin Fai):  The sinner is headed to Madrid last weekend to take care of something he should have done long ago. Considering the somber affairs that he has to deal with that weekend, Sin's been in an undeniably good mood that previous week-- ordering strippers to the Rambling Rose, inflicting his sex life on Seamus, and generally having a good time. Is the sinner finally back on his feet again?

Obituaries

Amazingly enough, I received not one but two updates to fill in this section last week.  If I had gotten around to writing the newsletter, you would've read them sooner. These are some examples of what I'd like to be placed here in the future, but more for active characters who were put to rest in the past couple years. To the best of my knowledge, only one of these was a true active character. I highlighed him with the classic red-brown. The rest are NPCs. I've had a volunteer step up offering to write future obituarties, and he seems to do a good job. The question is: can he write something this memorable for true-to-life played characters that have passed?

R.I.P. Burt Larson - A wingless crow which was seen begging for food around various alleys and trash cans in Rhy'din was found dead in the half-eaten sandwich of a kobold.  Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Arguin Argwen, 42, of Empala.  Arguin was the head of the Multiversal Hate Children Union for seven years.  His vociferous demand for anti-child measures across Rhydin -including barring them from public buildings and restaurants- gained little support. Arguin was best known for authoring "Children Hate You Too" and "Assassins from The Cradle".  He was found dead in the MHCU headquarters Wednesday morning with a GameBoy lodged in his throat.  His death has been ruled a suicide.  
 
Thaddeus Beck, 134, of Rhydin.  Founder of "Thaddeus Lemon Ices".  The treat that captivated Rhydin for over a century met an ignoble end last year, with headlines all over the multiverse reading "Lemon Ice is People!"  A penniless Beck retreated to his snowy mountain retreat in Nepal, where he died peacefully in his sleep.  The Beck family plans to freeze their patriarch in a sweet lemony solution to be admired/eaten by future generations.
 
Tuttush Adowla, 82, of Shinjar.  Hailed as Rhydin's Khalil Gibran two decades ago, the mystic poet died of pneumonia this Tuesday.  He had been in failing health for quite some time, spurring a poetry-card campaign that elicited responses from all corners of the known multiverse.  He is survived by his wife, three brothers, and eight children.
   
Dorga Macphillan, 38, of Rhydin.  Dorga was a daughter, mother, sister, and avid student of Magic.  Being an Orc, Dorga faced and overcame fear and prejudice.  She will always be remembered for her courage in the face of adversity.  Her death was the result of a magic-related mishap, and an investigation is not underway.
 
Eliza Morales, 53, of Rhydin.  CEO of Bewing Warrior Solutions, a leader in international private security.  Her contribution to the defense of Rhydin was loudly hailed in particular, but Mrs. Morale's' controversial decision to supply Premier Mithridates has recently met with scorn from international relief organizations.  Her funeral will be held in traditional Dwarvish fashion.  The results of an investigation suggest foul play, perhaps international terrorism.

Classifieds

Nothing new, but I did take the time to edit the one that was submitted to me a couple weeks back so that it better follows the current format and flow of the rest of the newsletter.

Mutual Endeavors Forum :  The freeform role-playing group more commonly known as Mutual Endeavors has moved its storylines and characters to a message board forum for player convenience.  It was decided that it would be beneficial to allow players a less time-restricted venue in which to present their characters' stories and participate interactively.  Not everyone can be online at the same times all the time.  Therefore we opened up this forum to the masses.  If you're interested, registration is completely free and unmoderated.  Check it out!

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Mutual Endeavors LJ Community :  Before the message board forum was ever considered, another attempt at keeping Mutual Endeavors alive and active was put into motion with the creation of the LiveJournal Community.  If you have a LiveJournal of your own, you are thoroughly encouraged to join our community at any time.  Stay up-to-date and in the loop with our random ramblings and discussions.  Some are held there and others are held on our forum.  Everyone is welcome. Don't be shy!

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Rambling Rose Tavern :  The Rambling Rose Tavern is a bar and grill establishment in town, owned and operated by Seamus Wylie and Katie Rose Wylie.  Stop in and enjoy a drink or a home-style meal, but before you do check out the rules and room description by following this link: http://www.ramblingrosetavern.net.  There are plenty of fun times to be had at the Rambling Rose Tavern!  Don't hesitate to join in on them whenever possible.

Subscribe Now! : Ubique's Weekly is a publication provided by the not-for-profit organization known as Mutual Endeavors.  As a free source of literary entertainment, you as the reader have the liberty to send out copies of our publication to whomever you think might enjoy the information shared.  To save yourselves the hassle of constantly forwarding what you might find amusing, feel free at any time to inform your friends and coconspirators to contact the Editor to request their very own future copies of Ubique's Weekly at no cost to them whatsoever.  It's as simple as clicking this link here above.

Ubique's Archive :  For several years now, the Ink Wire Associates and I have been trying to archive every old issue of Ubique's Weekly onto the internet.  It has been a slow-going process, and I assure you that not every past issue has been completely coded and uploaded to the site.  The work is, to say the least, very tedius.  We're doing the best we can.  In the future, we may also simply move all new issues to the site and do away with a mailing list entirely.  We'll see.  Until such a decision is reached, old news is still news and well worth the read.  Do enjoy.

Announcements

There were some character birthdays recently, but I don't remember who they all are and what days they were all on.  I'm pretty sure there were evern some player birthdays recently.  Same thing. Still looking for an Advertising Editor to keep track of all this information for me and send me updates every week to be added to the newsletter.  It's as simple as having a reliable calendar program, which I do not, that can be checked and cross-referenced every week.  The job also requires sending me additional updates through e-mail form so that I can include them in future issues.

Final Thoughts

Compiling this newsletter takes a lot of work.  Depending on how much information I receive and how much I feel like rambling, it can take me anywhere from two to ten hours each week.  This week I sat down to put everything together at the last minute, so that's why you're receiving this issue so late in the morning.  My ultimate goal is to be able to have everything compiled, copied, formatted, and sent by no later than 2:00 AM EST every Saturday morning of every week.  To do that, however, I need help.

I know I really need to rewrite the job descriptions for the positions that are still available, but please.  If you'd be interested in helping with the compilation and publication of Ubique's Weekly week to week, do let me know. Again, please do not instant message me.  In regard to this I prefer to receive e-mails.  This includes future updates.

If you have any news you'd like to share about your characters (in other news) or storylines (this just in), please e-mail me before the end of the week.  I think it's silly that I have to send out reminder e-mails, but if it must be done I'll continue to do so.  I accept updates any time through Friday up to the point before you receive your copy of the newsletter.  If you see this in your inbox, by then it's too late.  Until next time, I'll continue to be...

Keeping you informed,
-- The Nefarious SM
Editor In Chief
Ubique's Weekly
Mutual Endeavors