Top Story!

Rise of the Wikis!

Perhaps the most surprising thing about the recent addition of Rhydin-based wikis to the Internet is that the additions of said wikis have been so very recent.  The Internet has been around for decades, and online role-play has been a facet of the web since some time in the late 1980s.  The success of the launch of Wikipedia in January of 2001 led to a virtual flood of Wikis based on all manner of subjects.  One can find entire wiki sites devoted to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to the Constitution of the United States, to Homestar Runner.

Since September of 2007, three different wiki websites devoted exclusively to Rhydin have gone live:  Realm of Rhydin, Rhydin Wiki, and Encyclopedia Rhydinica.  The first to emerge was Realm of Rhydin, a site powered by PM Wiki and hosted by the player behind Panther and the producer of Dragon's Mark.   Realm of Rhydin was organized into five very user-friendly categories: The What, The When, The Where, The Who, and Out of Character.  As of October 29, 2007, Realm of Rhydin is no longer an active site, though during its short run, it amassed about 130 different articles, contributed by various players.

Two active wikis remain online.  In late October of 2007, Rhydin Wiki (http://www.rhydinwiki.com) went live.  This site is powered by Media Wiki, the same open-source software employed by the wiki juggernaut, Wikipedia, which gives Rhydin Wiki a clean, familiar look.  Its stated purpose is to chronicle the people, places, play-styles and other paraphernalia that compose the fictional realm of Rhydin.

Rhydin Wiki seems to have two main administrators managing the site: the player behind Alysia Skye and a second Admin.  This wiki advocates the submission of articles with clear relevance to Rhydin, proper use of language, and a uniform structure within the articles.  Guidelines like those undoubtedly aid in the coherent, professional look of this project.  Rhydin Wiki also has an extensive forum for support and discussion of things related to the wiki.  The 163 articles on this site are sorted into four in-character categories: Characters, Organizations, Locations and Events; and two  out-of-character categories: Mundanes and Library.

To contribute to the Rhydin Wiki, a person must first register and request access to the wiki.  Anyone is welcome to view the articles posted there.  Although the administrators of the site declined to comment for this article, this quote from their community guidelines seems to sum up the image they present: "Those who add and edit in good faith, show civility, seek consensus, and work towards the goal of creating a great encyclopedia should find a welcoming environment."

Mid-November brought the third offer of a wiki to the online role-playing community.  Encyclopedia Rhydinica (http://www.rhydinica.org/wiki/doku.php), powered by DokuWiki, was started by Steff, perhaps best known as the player of Harold Lowe.  Taking a page out of Realm of Rhydin's very intuitive book, the in-character categories are divided up as: Who, What, When, Where and How.  There are also two out-of-character categories dedicated to reference: Reference Library and RPG Resource Links.  These categories house 321 articles, thus far.

There are notable differences between Encyclopedia Rhydinica and  Rhydin Wiki. Rhydinica is operated as a democracy.  Twenty-three of the twenty-five users are currently administrators of the wiki.  According to Steff, "As soon as we get to know the two newer people, they will be too."  Though it is recommended, it is not required that users register to contribute articles to Rhydinica.  Also, users are encouraged to use any format that they like for articles, rather than something standardized.  Rhydinica also stresses that copyright for individual articles shall remain as individual as the writer of the article.  Some articles are public domain.  Others have all rights reserved.

"No one gets to trump anyone else, or act heavy handed.  We all make policy together.  We all make any decisions for the wiki together as a team.  Thus far, we haven't had a single argument break out," says Steff, about the philosophy and success of the totally democratic approach.  "Overall, it's about the people.  That's the philosophy: Cooperation, fun, democracy." 

We are fortunate, as players in this day and age, that we have so many options and choices for ways and mediums in which to express ourselves.  These two wikis, though different in many ways, ultimately have the same function: to support and enhance our experience as players, and allow for better transfer and maintenance of information in this increasingly scattered play-community.  With luck and with work, the community will continue to support these two sites, and allow them to flourish into truly rich resources.

-- The Signal
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Ubique's Monthly
Mutual Endeavors

Storyline Spotlight

This Just In

Unfortunately, I did not receive any summarized storyline write-ups from any of our contributors this month.  A great deal has been happening, though.  I'll do my best to provide some of the things I've seen in active play lately.  For all things RDI, however, be advised that the best place for anyone to look is the Dragon's Mark Red Dragon Inn official website.  The front page is plastered with Playables that make for their own fabulous headlines.

Death of a Legend  :  Extra, extra!  Read all about it!  The legendary Elder kindred Ambrose reported to be dead!  A series of mysterious and unfortunate events lead up to his untimely demise, but still very few people have the answers to the questions that many hushed voices are asking.  His closest associates, for who can say that Ambrose actually had any friends, report that he was acting a little strangely a few short months prior to the incident.  Though none could explain the omen that truly was the Elder's behavior.  So it happened at midnight going into December 22, 2007 that the great and glorious club Ambrosia burned to the ground, with Ambrose inside!  No body was found, but then again when is there ever a body left behind by a burned vampire.

Since his death, many other ambitious and younger kindred have been crawling out of the woodwork and moving into his territory with the hopes of staking a claim.  Who was destined to succeed Ambrose?  Did he even leave a will?  These are but more questions to answers that very few dare to ask, but it seems that not all is lost to chaos and ruin.  Someone has taken up the reins of the Elder's once mighty empire.  There are rumors of an unexpected succession, but nothing is clear.  More on this as it comes to us.  Stay tuned!

Election Primaries  :  The City of Rhydin has spoken!  Or perhaps only a small portion of it.  The popular demand of an indeterminate number of citizens has made it abundantly clear, however, that it's time to vote in a new Governor of Rhydin.  This past month saw an election to decide which candidates would be running for office this next time around.  Unfortunately, we have very little information on this race and can only tell you old news.  Not to mention that none of our reporters really know who any of the winners of this first race are, except for their names as they show on the ballot.

This year the following four candidates are running for office: G, Karen, Matthew Algiers Simon, and Wolvinator.  Only one of which, as you can see, has a real full name.  Who are these mysterious candidates?  What do they represent?  Some of them have spoken publicly (see the RDI Playables).  Who will win the election?  Will anyone even be elected at all?

That seems to be another part of this years governor election.  There are some citizens rallying to the cause of older lifestyles.  These few are banding together to promote the continuation of there being no government in Rhydin whatsoever.  Further questions arise, such as whether or not those running the polls will be kind enough to add a "no governor" option to the ballot.  Stay tuned for more. 

Godfather of Rhydin Hospitalized!  :  Next to the great and honorable Fayalki, there is probably only one other man with as much prestige and acclaim in the whole of all Rhydin.  That man is none other than the great and terrible Zonker (no, not Oz, sorry).  Word on the street these days is that Zonker suffered a massive heart attack, landing him in the hospital and a coma!  He is being kept at Fayalki Memorial Hospital and has not woke up for several weeks now.  Many of his closest friends and family members are extremely worried and anxious about his condition.  The hospital is allowing visitors at regular visiting hours, of course, though the fact that Zonker is in a coma and unresponsive may put a damper on anyone's plans to drop in and see how he is doing.  His condition is stable, but for how long?

Subscribing to Ubique's : Members and visitors of Mutual Endeavors are all encouraged to subscribe to our newsletter.  In the past, this was done in a word of mouth fashion.  People who already received and read our publication were encouraged to forward copies to their friends and fellow role-players, and to tell them to request a subscription of their very own.  This newsletter was once sent out from the AOL service from the editor in chief's personal account, but no more!

Now, Ubique's Monthly is sent out direct from the site from the official IWA address of This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The old mailing list from AOL has been copied over to our database.  As well as being published direct on the site, the newsletter is also sent out direct to all those who once were and currently have signed up as subscribers.  Now all you have to do is spread the word as before, but also direct the attention of your colleagues in play land to the button on our front page.

Please note: to receive a subscription of our newsletter and to read every issue, one need not register as a member of Mutual Endeavors.  Archived issues are available to read to the public, and every new issue is as well on our site.  Those wishing to receive a copy in their e-mail need only fill in the blank with their preferred account address and click the subscribe button.  It's that easy and that painless!

Character Spotlight

He has been many things, to many people.  A sea captain, a knight, a slave, a hero.  He has been a businessman, even a midwife, and perhaps most close to home, he has been a father and a family man as well.  In 3508 years, Zonker is the man who should own a whole crate of t-shirts that say 'been there, done that.'

Originally concepted about eleven years ago, Zonker came about as an amalgam of two or three of his mun's Dungeons & Dragons characters and was the mun's first FFRP character.  In order to make this a smooth integration, and a proper transition from a table-top scenario to a free-form one, "Much of his backstory was created to make the integration more seamless.  I needed something to explain how his existence was so varied despite the fact that he was human.  As a fan of Robert Heinlein, the "Time" guardian schtick was a natural.  His origin remained one of a medieval warrior, Norse because I simply liked the idea and knew a bit about the Mythos and the stories of the Eddas."

Zonker's mun explained what a Time Guardian was, as well, for those not in the know, "Think of it like Dr. Who, or characters in the later stories of Heinlein.  The "Monks of Time" (the name invented by one of my early play partners) travel Time and space to protect the integrity of Time in the Universe and to keep the balance between Order and Chaos in check."

As one can imagine, having that sort of backstory could only lead to a lifetime of incredible experiences.  Zonker originally got his start as a Time Guardian from the Monks of Time, long before he stepped foot in Rhy'Din.  Originally recruited due to his connection to a cleric who wasn't of Earth origin, this Viking warrior started questing with the cleric.  Eventually, this would gain the attention of the Monks of Time.

"The Cleric, through means still unknown, kept the questers young and healthy beyond normal human parameters by sacrificing some of his own life force and previously absorbed temporal energy.  This kept the others young and healthy but caused the Cleric to age and die prematurely.  After his death, Zonker travelled across the lands to consult libraries and sages in search of the secrets of life and Time.  It was outside one such library that the Monks recruited him, trained him, and put him to work. During these long years as a Monk, he learned of Rhydin,  As one of the junctures of the Nexus, it made sense that the place was well known to such groups."

The bonus of travelling through time was that Zonker was able to absorb the temporal energies that he lived a good deal of his life in.  That provided something not unlike a 'fountain of youth' that served to keep him young and vital; a natural by-product of his work.

As for how Zonker came to Rhy'Din, exactly, we start with the mun.  As mentioned, he was a veteran of table top games and his introduction to the world of online role-play was just as much accident as it was fate.

"I never even knew there was such a thing online RP.  I was simply checking out AOL during a free trial, using one of the ubiquitous disks available at the time.  I thought it was all pretty cool.  Hung around the Pagan Tea House, Friends of Bill W, and especially the much mourned ACLU free speech chat rooms.

"During one AOL session, I was surfing member rooms.  Though I had no interest in the F4M, M4M, and other rooms, there were also A&E rooms where one could chat about books, movies, and such.  I saw a room titled "Lyonsbane Manor" amd thought it was a very creative name (plus it was not EXTREMELY crowded).  I still had no idea about online FFRP.  I went in, and as always, hung out a bit and lurked to get the feel of the room.  I suddenly noticed the :: :: and that the people in the room were definitely not talking about some plot but were playing one out.  "Holy *&^%!" I thought out loud, these people are RPing!"

No one who knows him will be the least bit surprised at how he decided to handle this.

"So ... I jumped right in.  The character who was to become Zonker broke his second favorite sword that day!  The accent and the medieval origin came from a misunderstanding about the extent of the medieval fantasy setting."

In order to make his character a little more fleshed out, he pulled out his old character sheets and worked things out.  Though, he kept the medieval accent, accordingly, "The accent stayed, though became more realistically muddled, cause I liked it."

When asked about his early experiences in the world of online roleplay, and whether or not he was graced with good partners and interesting storylines, he had this to say:

"I had awesome play partners.  The two players in the Lyonsbane Guild recruited me into their Guild.  That was during the craze.  It was a loose one and not part of any larger organization.  While I wondered why they called it a guild (thinking that term was for organized craftsman and such), I joined up because it was what bound the playing group together."

Initially, dice were still a part of the world that Zonker inhabited, though his mun found no problem with this, as it was still tied to his D&D origins.  At the time, he knew nothing of the RDI or the debates going on about dice there.  Though, as time went on, he noticed that the dice had become unrealistic and had gotten out of hand, "...and I began to see them as an unneeded crutch.  Anyway, I was into the RP not the dice or the guild rankings.  I became an FFRP[er] long before I knew the term as such."

As to his play partners, Zonker-the-mun could not give enough praise.  Over the many years, "I had great play partners from then until now.  I have been lucky with that.  Hell, I watched many of my partners struggle through high school, graduated, go to college or join the workforce.  Many stopped RPing, others took looooong breaks and returned later.  I had (and still have) a great time!"

One would think that Zonker himself would be something akin to a force of nature, but not only did he influence the lives of many other characters in the realm, he carved out his own niche in it.  Called the Less Crowded Inn, this particular locale was open for many a year, and drew in many people.  Even to this day, just saying the acronym LCI is enough for people to know where you're talking about, including those who never played in the location itself.

One permanent fixture to the beloved LCI was, of course, Zonker.

"The Less Crowded Inn regulars, with a few exceptions, changed over almost wholly at least three times.  Each new group provided a different golden age.  Zonker evolved, the LCI evolved, and they evolved each time."

The Less Crowded Inn served as a focal point for many storylines.  Zonker's immortality, for instance, was lost there during a Trial for Humanity.  To understand why this is so important, one must look deep into the past... or even deeper into the future.

"He is strongly empathic and he was immortal for a time.  Both placed on him as a curse by Loki during his first mission with the Monks, wherein he travelled to the "end of Time" at Ragnarok and distracted Loki as FenrisWolf devoured the sun.  If this had not occurred, the loop of Time would have been severed and Time would end without starting up again.

"He gave up his immortality during the Trial for Humanity, which took place in Rhydin (at the LCI).  He defended man against Loki and won the right for their continued existence and a covenant by the Gods of Asgard to stay the heck out of their lives."

As one can well imagine, it's pretty hard to top saving humankind as a whole, but the little events make up just as much of Zonker's amazing life as the large ones.  A jack-of-all-trades, mostly due to his extremely long life, some of his mun's more fond recollections are of, "Zonker presiding over numerous marriages (since he had been a sea captain -Viking style- at one time it seemed legit) and he played midwife to many births.

"There were also many "adoptions" into the LCI Family and (explaining his surfeit of brothers and sisters) and, of course, many deaths.  Matilda De Vey (aka Matty) was one of the most tragic."

Given the nature of life and the realm when it comes to tragedy, though, "But it was neither the first nor last.  Later, and a bit more recently, came the destruction by cosmic fire of the LCI itself.  Followed much too soon after the death of his 23rd wife Moriah in a quantum singularity that should have killed him... and rearranged the entire Multiverse."

To say that this was a time-arcing, space-arching storyline would be an understatement.  Spanning worlds, times and lives, Zonker found his mettle tested, and in the end, nearly lost it all.

"Zonker was taken from Rhydin awhile back by some Undead beings.  They manipulated Time and took over a world he once protected, came to Rhydin through the Nexus and he was put into slavery.  He existed there in bondage for many years (though only a few minutes passed in Rhydin) until he lead a revolt.  This was not his first experience as a slave.  In the end, the Monks of Time and other guardian groups excised the Timeline, though Z having existed there remembers it all.

"Unfortunately, some of the baddies still existed and remembered as well.  It was they, years later, who destroyed the LCI then went after Z in vengeance.  They captured him and were to have him watch as they reordered existence so the excised Timeline returned, as the ONLY reality.

"Rena, Moriah, Tara Rynien - one of Zonker's oldest foes who he had recently reached a detente with, located the old man and fought to free him.  Moriah, using techniques she learned from Z, brought forth powerful time-tossed objects that Z had some connection to... the Holy Grail, the Spear of Destiny, a few "spacer/futuristic" objects, and like that.  She used them to counteract the singularity that would have altered Time (and ended Zonker's existence).  The forces involved destroyed her utterly.

"Z broke down as their Bond was broken.  Only the ministrations of Rena (et al) held him together long enough to get over it and continue living.

"He has vowed that Moriah, his 23rd wife and soulmate, would be his last."

After all of that grit; surviving, loving, fighting, dreaming, one would think that even without his formerly cursed immortality, Zonker is larger than life and therefore untouchable.  Such is not the case.  Deeply committed to his family, one doesn't have to look very far to see that his family is just as deeply committed to him.

Currently, that family and many many more friends await news to see what's to become of their near and dear.  Recently, while taking down Christmas decorations, Zonker collapsed.

"Zonker [is] lying in Fayalki Memorial Hospital. Whether he will live to be 3509 is highly in doubt."

From here, there is not much else we can say of this man.  So, as is only proper, we allow three of the many, many people who have loved him in his life so far to have a say.

From Maia d'Thalia:

"Zonker is an insufferable stubborn old fool, and I know, for certain, that he shall never change in that regard.  Having said that, I will note that there are precious few people on this mortal coil that I would trust, implicitly, with anything.  My home, my life, my world– anything.  The man was a devoted husband and a very dutiful father. He is a man of honor and great integrity.  Moreso than most, Zonker is also a man of loyalty; so much so that he and I have passed some strong words the rare times when our loyalties have not aligned.  He is the epitome of a true friend, and an infuriating bastard.  I'd not change him for the world."

From Santharina (Rena) Silverleaf:

"Zonker wast mine first family member. He wast the brother that I ne'er hadst. He accepted me almost from the first time I hadst walked into the Less Crowded Inn. I hadst had nae family for a long time when I met Zonker and hadst forgotten how wonderful it was to have someone who cared. He gave me mine first nickname. He shortened mine name from Santharina to Rena. He said that Santharina was too much of a mouthful. It took a bit of getting used to but it wast a good thing. 

"He made me feel beautiful when I couldst see nae beauty within myself. He helped me regain mine own sense of pride in myself and made me realize that though I hadst been a slave for many years that only I couldst allow them to take all that I wast and he showed me how to begin to love myself again.

"He brought mine son into the world and gave me the confidence to raise him and believe in a future for us both. And he hast always been there for me, for Kalen and for any family member that needed him. For any reason. Simply because he loves us all.
There ist naught that I wouldst nae do for Zonker.  I wouldst gi'e mine life for him."

And, from Taryn Ciorstaidh:

"Zonker.  What is he to me? 

"Fearless.  A man who, when ten – or ten thousand – people are telling him he can't, he looks them in the eye and says, "Maybe I can't.  But I'll give it a go anyhow."  A man whose life philosophy is today is a good day to die.  A man who has lived half a thousand years without going mad.

"He's the insufferable ass who, even when you really want him to, wouldn't even consider turning someone away from his door.  Very rare is the Rhydinian establishment that doesn't contain a man that calls himself Zonker's friend.  Not acquaintance, not someone they met once and remember vaguely.  An honest to goodness friend.  It's all he knows how to be.

"He's a single father who doesn't always know the solutions to his daughter's problems, but he'll find them out without blushing or batting an eye.  He's a brother to warring sisters who somehow finds a way to love them all equally.  He's the end all and be all for more people than he can possibly know. 

"He is my heart's guide, my conscience, my True North.  When I am unsure, he is sure for me.  He always has the answer.  He always is the answer. 

"So what is Zonker to me?  Everything."

Regardless of what the future holds for Zonker, his legacy is clear in the love and devotion he has inspired and continues to do so.  Of all of the things he has been in his life --  A sea captain, a knight, a slave, a hero -- the final thing that can be said of him is this:

He has loved and will always be loved.

-- Steff Watson
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Encylopedia Rhydinica
GreaterRealms

In Other News...

My tremendous thanks goes out to each and every one of you who sent in character updates this week.  I really think the new Mutual Endeavors website is an improvement in the way that reminders are issued and the way in which the newsletter is published.  I am happy to report that not only do we have names tied to AOL and DM, but a few of our submissions also included characters played in RoH.  All screen names are listed alphabetically, however, leaving you to figure out who is where if you're really that curious.  Some may also be the same user name on more than one service!

Ambrose  (his sullen craft):  Word has spread through the streets like wildfire since the middle of December.  The whisper in everyone's ear is that Ambrose, the mighty and fearsome Elder vampire, is dead.  Reports claim that he died in a wildfire that ravaged the club Ambrosia late in the evening on the first of winter.  Kindred of all walks of life have been banding together to try to stake a claim to his once self-regulated business empire, but does anyone have what it takes to succeed him?  Doubtful.  Does anyone even mourn the Elder's passing?  That seems likely for a few.

Anna  (AriannaRavenwood):  The formerly blue sister has been a homebody, staying at home and taking care of her seven year old son Brion and her husband Galen (Galen Ravenwood).

Ariana MacGyldren  (ArianaMacGyldren):  The old broad has come out of her own seclusion lately.  She has been spotted in the company of one Colleen MacLeod, visiting the Rambling Rose Tavern on a growing frequent schedule of once a week.  After all this time of everybody thinking she may have disappeared off of the face of Rhydin forever, it's really good to see her out and about again.  Times may not be what they used to be, but our dear old Ariana hasn't changed much at all. Ariana has also been kept busy running her Bakery, as well as riding herd on her youngest daughter Elaine (Elaine Aqua).  Teenage daughters can be such a trial, after all.

Bertie  (Albert W Hall):  The leader of the Wild and Wooley Bunch has made a few rare public appearances.  Bertie freaked out when he saw a talking tiger on one visit to a certain Tavern while squiring around Dee (Fragile Fury).  He's been staying with Denny and Rhi (Richard D Harker, RhiannonD Harker) and looking after Maggie to give the new parents some help.  Or maybe it's to escape the pressure Bertie's Mum is putting on him to follow in Denny's footsteps and ... GASP! ... settle down?  With just one bird?  Horrors!

Dris  (BardGaIIant):  Nobody has really seen Dris for a very long time.  Seems for the holidays and all throughout the month of January that he's been in hiding again.  What could have happened this time to have turned him into such a recluse?  Is he merely getting forgettful in his old age?  Or is he just that happy being in the company of his current lover Icarus?  There is a rumor floating about that he recently got himself a new dog, though.  Neighbors have heard barking coming from the cottage.

Ecthelion  (Lambent Tides):  A little blue elf has been seen meandering around the docks areas aimlessly for the past month.  On occasion he has been reported to stop random people and ask them if they've seen anyone by the name of Herrol O.  That's what people have heard him ask at any rate.  The spunky little elf speaks so rapidly so often that very few can keep up with him.  In most cases those asked have only shook there head and moved along, a little weirded out by his abundant good cheer.  Will he ever find the person he's looking for?  Only time will tell.

Ehzoterik VonArcanum  (Ehzoterik):  On a few random occasions this past month, Ehz has dropped into the Rambling Rose to pay a visit or three to the local yokels.  The only problem is that nobody seems to really want her around.  Well, Ehz can take a hint.

Elaine  (Elaine Aqua):  Nobody understands Elaine at all!  School's okay, but her Mother (ArianaMacGyldren) is being totally unreasonable!  What's wrong with wearing makeup and miniskirts to school and going out with boys?  She's fourteen, after all, and not a baby any more.

Erin Dunbridge  (Erinalle Dunbridge, Erin Dunbridge, Erin V Dunbridge):  Erin has been spending the last month working on her dueling skills, mostly with Harris in DoF and Gnort in DoS. She has been and will continue to captain her team dueling league team Dragoon-Talanador's Misfits and has been working at the newly expanded Stitch In Time, located in the Marketplace. She also has been heard talking about helping her boyfriend, Jake, expand his ranch.

Faye: She Who Tends the Dead  (Faye Random):  As of the 22nd of December, the first of winter, She Who Tends the Dead has gone into hibernation. She is expected to awaken again come the first of spring 2008.

Gage Sterling  (Aversion Toward):  The ex-whore dropped into the Rambling Rose Tavern some time last month on what could have merely been a whim.  He had a long talk with Seamus concerning his current living arrangements and relationship with the less than stable Gavin, who seems to have gotten himself a kitten.  Gage was worried for the kitten's wellfare and so whisked it away in the hopes of finding a better and proper home for it.  Something Seamus said to him must have changed his mind, though, because he was last seen carrying the kitten back out the door. Presumably with the intention of taking it back home to Gavin.

Icarus Marcotte  (SubtIe Iies): If no one has seen the bard, is anyone surprised that no one has seen Icarus? Indeed, the half-dragon has been as much of a recluse as his live-in lover, but the half-dragon has been spotted once or twice with Cheruth.. especially after receiving a mysterious and rather dangerous visitor early this week.

Irina Braeden  (Irina Braeden):  Surprise!  Without lightning, hailstorms or other meteorologic disturbances to herald the birth, the Artist had a perfectly normal baby girl at 9:37am on January 24th.  Both Mom and Sarah Isabel are doing fine.  Sleep?  What's that?  Irina's very grateful for Jos' (Aversion Toward) midwifery help with the birth and aftercare.

Joscelyne Hirsch (Aversion Toward): Something told her she had to be there. Jos couldn't explain it all.  The only thing she knew was that she had to be at Irina's house on January 24th, and much to her surprise she realized the spirits had volunteered her to help her friend through childbirth.  Even more to her amazement, Jos made a pretty fine midwife, without any formal training even!  Since then she's offered her services as a nurse maid as well, and has been helping Irina take care of her new bouncing baby girl.

Maia Cyrene d'Thalia  (Spirited Corsair): Maia was also recently spotted at the Rambling Rose Tavern this past month, though she was said to have visited at least on two occasions.  On the first she spent most of her time in the company of one Harold Lowe.  Though she also spent some short amount of time before that getting to know two of Rhydin's most notorious criminals: Sinjin Fai and Salvador Delahada.  On her second visit to the tavern, she and Salvador spent some time in discussion and getting to know each other a little better.  They were both seen leaving the tavern not long after some horrific old demon woman gave birth to a goat baby in the women's restroom.

Martin Gilcrest  (I Like Tonberry):  It seems Martin's room mate Gale decided to try to help him celebrate Christmas, but the other ex-SeeD must have temporarily forgot that the pyromaniac is Jewish.  Oh well.  At least he got a present from somebody.  That was nice.  Other than that, he's still been playing the part of mad scientist recluse.  Nobody has seen him in some time.

Mike Harada  (MichelangeIo H):  The Harada family has had a rough month.  Mid-January it seems as if the youngest brother got himself attacked by a vengeful genie of some sort.  After being stabbed multiple times and left for dead, he was miraculously found and rescued and taken to the nearest hospital.  Rumor has it that Morgan Knight and Stormraven were the ones to have saved his life.  The latest news is that he has been moved out of ICU and is expecting a full recovery.  There is still no word on the whereabouts of his assailant, however, but his brothers are looking.

Quinn Norcross  (Quinn Norcross):  Where, oh where, has the musician's nephew been?  Other than spending loads of time with his boyfriend, he hasn't been out much at all.  Even Gale isn't sure where the inventor goes and how he spends his time when they aren't together.  It remains a mystery.  But hey.  Christmas was really awesome!

Renley Killian  (A Common Cur):  After so long, Renley finally managed to find what he hopes to be the next best suitable guide dog to replace Ezra.  Some time in early January he brought the filthy ball of blackish blue fluff into the Rambling Rose Tavern and introduced him to Seamus.  He also learned some interesting things about the bartender and owner's past.  There was some discussion on the nature of slavery as well as what the hell to name his new dog.  After that time he has not been seen, having likely retreated into solitude to train the mangy beast to suit his needs.

Salvador Delahada  (Karmic Venganza):  Going back as far as December, Salvador had a hectic month and a half.  First, Sin took off and disappeared from Rhydin, so he followed him to Spain.  There in Madrid he was discovered by a police inspector, arrested on the charge of a warrant that's been standing in the country for nearly two years, and questioned until he figured the officers were out of breath.  Eventually Sin figured out he had followed him, played lawyer, and got him out of prison.  The pair later came back to Rhydin in mid-January and have been working together to put Ambrose's affairs back together, as well as their broken little family too.

Sinjin Fai  (Sinjin Fai): After Ambrose's death in midDecember, the Spaniard abandoned Rhy'din and returned to his homeland for some much needed time to himself.. or it would have been, if one Salvador Delahada hadn't shown up! After rescuing his companion from his lovely stay in prison, Sin returned to Rhy'din to take up the reins of his Father's affairs.

Valentine Shyre  (XValentineShyreX):  The month started off with sickness, sadness, and loneliness.  She spent her time in an abandoned apartment, rereading journal entries and short letters some directed to her and well, most of them not.  But they came back.  She yelled, she cried, she listened to waves and she took a step back.  She loves them.  All 3 of them.  Too much.  But she hasn't searched for any of them since giving Wren his Christmas gift.  As for Sal and Sin, that gift has yet to be delivered.  The rest of her month, meeting new people and making new friends.  Not much going on.  Not enough to keep her mind settled even.

Zonker  (XZonkerX, Zonker):  Zonker, noted philanthropist, family man, and former tavern owner suffered a massive heart attack following the recent holiday season. Zonker remains in a coma in Fayalki Memorial Hospital. At this time, his recovery is uncertain. See also the Character Spotlight.

Classifieds

This is one of the only sections that I didn't have time to work on all month.  Well, that's not true.  I had plenty of time, but oh so little motivation.  First of all, I didn't receive any notifications in any of the updates I received.  Nobody was advertising anything.  Second of all, anything I currently have to advertise has already been advertised a hundred times before.  Copying and pasting the same old ads just gets tiring after a while.

If anyone is interested in advertising any of their guilds or storyline groups or whatever else have you in a future issue of Ubique's Monthly, please see our Ubiquitous FAQs on the main Mutual Endeavors website.  A link to the site is always included at the end of every newsletter, if you're receiving this through e-mail instead of reading it on the web.

Next month I'll try to devote more time to editing in the monotonous sections of the newsletter and hopefully have something to actually advertise here in the classifieds section.  So stay tuned for March! 

Announcements

For the past several years, our announcements and advertisements have mostly been maintained by a very reliable IWA partner.  We owe a great deal of thanks to the Census Keeper AG, who once a long time ago also kept the newsletter circulating when the editor in chief could not do so herself.  This section, like many of the others, has been color-coded to help you better understand what is an in character event and what is an out of character event.  Mostly this code is in use for the sake of birthdays.

If you see a name listed in blue, that is a birthday for the player behind a character.  If you see a name listed in red-brown, that is a birthday for the character.  Other events will be listed in standard black.  These include a variety of holidays.  Most of these holidays are real world tradition, no matter how silly they may seem.  They are listed for the possibility of entertainment or use in play.  Additionally, this is one of the few and only sections that covers the actual month of issue publication.  Use it as an aid for your better role-playing enjoyment.

1.  Bubble Gum Day, Give Kids a Smile Day, Hula in the Coola Day, Robinson Curusoe Day, Spunky Old Broads Day (also all month), Wear Red Day, and Women's Heart Health Day.

2.  Candelmas, Groundhog Day, Groundhog Job Shadow Day, Hedgehog Day, Imbolc, and Teach Your Daughter to Volunteer Day.

3.  Four Chaplains Memorial Day and Super Bowl XLII (all week).

4.  Liberace Day, Sydney Harada, Sydney Harada, and USO Day.

5.  Fastnachts Day (Pennsylvania Dutch - Shrove Tuesday), International Pancake Day, Mardi Gras, Paczki Day, Move Hollywood & Broadway to Lebannon PA Day, and Weatherman's (Weatherperson's) Day.

6.  African American Coaches Day, Ash Wednesday, and National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

7.  Chinese New Year's Day and Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbors Day.

8.  Boy Scout Anniversary Day and Laugh And Get Rich Day.

9.  Corvette Day.

10.  Grammy Awards Day, Man Day, Plimsoll Day, Shadibadoo, and World Marriage Day.

11.  Pro Sports Wives Day, National Shut-In Visitation Day, Satisfied Staying Single Day, Westminster Dog Show, and White Shirt Day.

12.  Darwin Day, Lincoln's Birthday, and Safety Pup Day.

13.  Black Love Day, Employee Legal Awareness Day, Get a Different Name Day, and Kislara "Lara" Melnibone.

14.  Carolyn Valkonan, Ferris Wheel Day, National Condom Day, (World) Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day, League of Women Voters Day, Mallora Camale, National Women's Heart Day, National Call In Single Day, Race Relations Day, Rose Valkonan, Quirky Alone Day, Sheridan "Dris" Driscol, Valentine's Day, and Valentine Shyre.

15.  Lupercalia, Susan B. Anthony Day, and National Gum Drop Day.

17.  Daytona 5007, My Way Day, National PTA Founders Day, and World Human Spirit Day.

18.  Presidents Day.

19.  Chocolate Mint Day

20.  Northern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day.

21.  International Mother Language Day, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and Single Tasking Day.

22.  George Washington's Birthday.

23.  Clam Chowder Day, Curling is Cool Day, Iwo Jima Day, and Open That Bottle Night.

24.  Academy Awards.

26.  For Pete's Sake Day and Spay Day USA.

27.  Inconvenience Yourself Day.

28.  National Chili Day, Floral Design Day, and National Tooth Fairy Day.

29.  Leap Year Day and Rekah Dravina.

Final Thoughts

Color me surprised.  This issue turned out to be HUGE!  I never expected Ubique's to ever come so far.  In fact, I also didn't expect there to be so much content to include in even a monthly newsletter, but sure enough there was.  I can only apologize for how enormous this issue is, but I do not regret the size at all.  It's beautiful!  I'm eternally grateful to the three other individuals who took the time to write additional articles for three of our larger sections.  TS, Kelsey, and Steff.  Thank you all so very, very much for putting in the effort.  Ubique's shines for the first time in years thanks to all of you.  I'd also very much like to extend my hand to offer future missions if you're all willing to accept them.

This newsletter isn't only about three or four single individuals, however.  It would be nothing without the extra contributions and continued support from readers like you.  To those of you who submitted updates for the month of February, covering the previous month of January, you too have my tremendous thanks!  Please do not forget to submit your news for the month of March, covering the month of February, as well.  We're always looking forward to reading your news and sharing it with the great wide world of role-playing.

The Ink Wire Associates editorial staff always welcomes questions, comments and suggestions.  If you think you have an idea for a future feature article for any of our top sections (Top Story!, Storyline Spotlight, or Character Spotlight), please do not hesitate to let us know.  If you're still wondering what sort of material is appropriate for those sections, you can review our Ubique's Guidebook at any time.  It can be found in our FAQs section on the main Mutual Endeavors website.

Here's to hoping that next month's newsletter will be just as extravagantly informative as this month's.  Until then, now and always, I'll continue to be... 

Keeping you informed,

-- The Nefarious SM

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Ubique's Monthly
Mutual Endeavors