"One of the most obvious facts about grownups to a child is that they have forgotten what it is like to be a child." - Randall Jarrell, US author & poet  (1914 - 1965).

The same cannot be said of role-players.  None of us have truly forgotten what it is like to be a child, have we?  Of course not.  If that were true, then we would not be constantly engaging ourselves in these make-believe fantasies that we all enjoy so much.

This month's newsletter was, throughout the month of April, expected to be a complete and total disappointment.  I received no updates from any of our members whatsoever.  Nobody has bothered to tell us anything about what's been happening in role-play during the past month.  It's a darn shame, really, but there's very little I can do about it.  All I can do is continue to beg and plead and hope that some of you will inform us of your juicy gossip.

Despite this set-back and the expectation that we would have nothing to share, a shining light poured down upon us in the form of a couple of our secret operatives.  Two of our ubiquitous reporters conspired an act of purest genius to give us something to entertain you with this month.  Thankfully we were able to be striken by that bolt of genius, even if it was at the very last minute!  My tremendous thanks goes out to these ladies and you, our beautiful readers, for making Ubique's Monthly the very best it can be month to month.

Now, let's plod along and see what tasty morsels of reading pleasure we have in store, shall we? 

Top Story!

"There is only one admirable form of the imagination: the imagination that is so intense that it creates a new reality, that it makes things happen." - Sean O'Faolain, Irish short story author (1900 - 1991).

Storyline Spotlight

"You probably wouldn't worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do." - Olin Miller.

This is becoming an unfortunate trend.  Once again, I regret to inform our readers that we have no Storyline Spotlight to share with you.  Though, rest assured, we are in the process of working on one for the month of June.  The idea came to us a little too late to include in this month's issue, but we're planning on having one for next month.  So stay tuned.

There aren't as many large group storylines to report, and that's always been the case.  Either people don't think their stories are worth reporting, or they just don't think about it.  Then again, a larger number of the storylines that are actively in progress are considered closed, and some people prefer their privacy.  There are many different circumstances.

Sorry to disappoint this month.  This feature section doesn't see quite as much light as I would personally like, but remember.  Mutual Endeavors is still very new to some people, and so is Ubique's Monthly.  Perhaps when we become more renowned we'll have more to share. 

This Just In

"Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once." - Evan Esar, Esar's Comic Dictionary, American Humorist (1899 - 1995).

One Hell of a Party  :  Who would have known about Ninevah and his problems?  Apparently he had some; serious ones.  In the third week of April, a small group of friends banded together to help pull him out of a jam.  This great and epic adventure took place around the 17th.  Though chaos ensued, all's well that ends well.  (This story has been archived for public viewing under one of the participant's forums and can be read here: Unusual Awakenings.)  Now, hopefully everything can go back to being as normal as any of them should expect.  Keep your paws crossed.

Misty Lackey's Got Fans :  Fans of the Mercedes Lackey works set in the fictional world of Velgarth, look no further!  Mutual Endeavors is proud to present what we hope to be one of our newest affiliations.  One of our members stumbled upon a very recently developing storyline group that focuses on the unwritten future of this spectacular setting.  Though the member base is currently so very small, it is the hope of creator and moderator to expand and appeal to all those interested in Heralds, Tayledras, Gryphons and more!  Velgarth Continent is set in the far distant future of the generations beyond canon life and encourages newcomers to create new and unique characters based on the complete series of published works.  Come one, come all, come the curious and interested.  Take a look and hopefully find a wonderfully new sandbox to play in.

Character Spotlight

"It is not worth an intelligent man's time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that." - G. H. Hardy, English mathematician (1877 - 1947).

Once again for the month of May, as we have done so far in all previous months ahead of time, we ran a poll.  The Character Spotlight nominees for the month of May were as follows: Mesteno, Rena Cronin, Stormraven k'Leshya, Suliss'urn Xukuth (again), and Tasslehofl.  The poll ran for two weeks, as it was programmed to do, starting on the first of April and ending on the 15th.  Our nominees received a total of 19 votes, which is not as many as last month but still quite significant.

The end results of our May Character Spotlight poll were as follows:  Our winner, with a grand total of 7 out of 19 votes, giving him a marginal 36.84% was the character Tasslehofl!  Woohoo!  Congratulations abound for him!  Coming in at a close tie for second place, both with 4 out of 19 votes each, a 21.05% neck and neck rush, were the characters Mesteno and Suliss'urn Xukuth.  Not far behind with 3 out of 19 votes, nipping at their heels with a 15.79%    total was Rena Cronin.  And finally, last but certainly not least, with only one singular vote and 5.26% of the total, was Stormraven k'Leshya.

As before, the task of hunting down and interviewing our illustrious grand prize gold medal winner was placed into the capable hands of our ubiquitous reporter SLWatson, but seems that we had a small problem.  Would you believe it?  The Nexus seems to have gone and devoured our poor dear old Tass!  But our interviewer wasn't going to allow that small little problem defeat her, and believe it or not Mutual Endeavors is proud to present to you our next Character Spotlight feature article for the month of May.  Click Here to read more!

In Other News...

"A true man never frets about his place in the world, but just slides into it by the gravitation of his nature, and swings there as easily as a star." - Edward Chapin.

Caliban Fortannis  (Life ensnared, Fortannis):  Work, work, work. After his brief foray into the public eye last week, the Seeker General has retreated to his office again. Maybe someday he'll take a day off.

Carolyn Valkonan  (DreamsInBurgundy):  Aside from the usual upkeep of her relationships, family, and slowly growing popular new band, the dreamer's latest adventures have taken a new twist involving her in the controversy surrounding her friend Salvador Delahada.  She recently met with one Inspector Elias Montero while supervising the construction work of her newly purchased plot of land at 213 Merchant Street, and discovered that her friend is what?  Wanted for murder!?  This was confirmed later that week, late in the month, when she visited Faye to discuss what was to be done.

Doctor Maranya Tatiana Valkonan  (Maranya Valkonan):  The good doctor has been seen out and about on a few occasions this past month.  Of most important note, she was seen visiting the Rambling Rose Tavern, where she had a chance encounter with someone who has been looking for her for a short while.  She is rumored to have been seen speaking with one Inspector Elias Montero, probably concerning the same subject he's been obsessing over for months.

Dris  (BardGaIIant):  Great news!  Though no real big public changes.  Dris still has a bad habit of hiding himself away, only crawling out of the woodwork every once in a while to drop in and visit his friends under the public limelight.  But he did finally meet up with Salvador to patch up their relationship.  That went well.

Ehzoterik VonArcanum  (Ehzoterik):  We've been seeing her a lot more frequently these past days.  Ehz has dropped in on the Rambling Rose Tavern more than is probably healthy for the bar, let alone for the world.  But apparently some fool of a man decided to tell her that he liked her company, and she just hasn't stopped coming around!

Elias Montero (Deslustrado):  The inspector, or perhaps it's best to call him an ex-inspector by now, is still fighting the good fight.  Still plodding along and working hard to complete his mission.  This past month has proved to be most beneficial.  He has made two contacts and learned more about his quarry than he could have hoped for.  When will he see the justice he's been searching for?

Faye: She Who Tends the Dead  (Faye Random):  This past month has been filled with strangeness.  The most curious thing of all is that Faye herself has seemed to change.  People can't quite put their fingers on it.  Nobody can figure it out.  The most remarkable change, the one that should be most obvious, is that instead of wearing black these days, she has taken to wearing white.  As some few others have come to learn, she's also expressed a curiosity, an interest, in the man hunting down her son.

Icarus Marcotte  (SubtIe Iies):  Icarus has still been acting oddly ever since he discovered that the dracolich Mephis is not as dead as he was informed -- and that he holds a mental tie to Icarus's closest friend, Cheruth. That'll make a man (or a dragon) a wee bit cranky. Rumor has it that Icarus is also still half-heartedly looking for the whereabouts of one Sinjin Fai.

Irina Braeden  (Irina Braeden):  Same old, same old.  Taking care of her new baby girl with the help of Joscelyne Hirsch, her live-in nanny.  On a few occasions, she's stopped into the Rambling Rose to say hello.  Rumor has it she's had visits from her family too.  They, like everybody else, seem to be taking the surprise baby no father thing rather well.

Sinjin Fai  (Sinjin Fai): Sin's been a busy bee. After unintentionally becoming involved in Nineveh's mental breakdown, and consequently, his return to sanity, Sinjin's been happy to take on the cat's company and help him work at taking his life back again. Funny advise, coming from Sin. There's also been rumor of Sin sending Mesteno to do his dirty work over at Ambrosia.. or what was once Ambrosia. Though the building that now stands where the club once stood has no visible name, there's one that's been whispered on the streets: Peccavi.

Specimen 64723  (Aversion Toward):  Nemo brought home a puppy!  The specimen has discovered he likes this puppy, despite the fact that it likes to chew on his tail, so much that he even gave her a name.  Though other people don't seem to think Chok-rat is a good name for a miniature pinscher, that's what he's decided and the poor thing's stuck with it.

Classifieds

"Advertisements... contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper." - Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Nathaniel Macon, January 12, 1819. 3rd president of US (1743 - 1826).

Aesop's Fables :  The online collection!  This database has been running strong for twelve years now, and from time to time, instead of quotes, the Nefarious SM may use these in future issues of Ubique's Monthly.  When short on news and still wanting to entertain or make a statement, they have been quoted in the past.  At the very least, you may enjoy browsing around and reading some of your childhood favorites.

furiae :  This is the online gallery of one of the Nefarious SM's favorite artists.  Now, bear in mind.  This is true art, which means that none of it should be stolen.  Reading some of the artist's own words, it seems she's a very sweet person who may not mind granting permission if asked.  But most of all, if you're looking for someone to request a very nice commission of, for a price, I'm sure she wouldn't mind that either.

Pegasus :  The Pegasus Gallery is a LiveJournal community created and maintained by one of Mutual Endeavors very own members.  It is a community for artists of all types, generous souls who support the artists out there, for posting their art and seeking a kindly critical eye.  If you have a LiveJournal and like to draw, or are looking for people who can, then this is perhaps the perfect group for you.

Rings of Honor :  The current home of the three Duels groups that were formerly active on AOL: Duel of Swords, Duel of Fists, and Duel of Magic.  Our sources say, "While the duel aspect of RoH isn't entirely FFRP, there is a good deal of FFRP that goes on, as well as a FC for RP/Dueling, and forums for storytelling. So not entirely unlike DM/RDI."  If you're looking for some place different, where your characters can compete in an organized and structured environment, beat the snot out of each other and otherwise just have a good old time, then check it out.

Velgarth Continent :  If you read the above post in the Headlines, then you're one step closer to knowing precisely where this link leads!  Otherwise, let me tell you that it's a new forum that has been put together for those players who may be interested in participating in a fan-based future revised setting of the works of Mercedes Lackey!  Yes, that's right!  Ever wanted to play a Herald or create a character involved in that fabulous fictional world?  Well, here's a small and growing group just for you!

Announcements

"Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present." - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Meditations 200 A.D., Roman Emperor, A.D. 161-180 (121 AD - 180 AD).

For the month of May, I actually did some hunting around.  Our census keeper has been awfully silent all month long, but I still have some birthdays to list from her sent the month previous.  I like that she's on the ball and thinks ahead sometimes.  Please remember that all birthdays are listed with the date of said birthday falling within this month in parentheses, not the age the character or person will be turning.

Character Birthdays  :  Dimitri Kephalos (3), Donatello Innes (30), Galen Innes (25), Lupine Innes (30), Lynet Teague (2), Lyssa Bjornson (25), Mer Harris (14), Ralmo Hausenfelter (10), Stormraven k'Leshya (22), Xave Braeden (5), Yeehaw Kikass (31), and Zach Braeden (5).

Player Birthdays :  KRWalker (3), SLWatson (17), Toney Delgado (26), and Yeehaw (30).

Today, May 1, just so happens to be May Day.  In other cultures and religions, this day is also known as Beltane and is a very special holiday.  Use your powers of google-fu to look it up if you're curious enough to care.  For those of you who alredy know, have a happy holiday!

May 5 celebrates Cinco de Mayo for those of you from the Latin American culture.  Those of you looking for a little cultural enlightenment and enrichment may find it to be a very interesting holiday indeed.  Get out there and party!

Mother's Day happens some time this month.  Looks like that happens on Sunday the 11th, so don't forget to send your mom a card or give her a call.  Even though you may fight and bicker sometimes, remember that she's the one who brought you into the world and can darn well take you out!

Last, but certainly not least, is Memorial Day.  If I'm reading my resources correctly and looking at my calendar clearly, this holiday falls on the last Monday of the month of May.  Therefore, we'll be celebrating on the 26th.  Show your support to the soldiers, those brave men and women, who keep our country safe in whatever way you can.

Final Thoughts

"With Epcot Center the Disney corporation has accomplished something I didn't think possible in today's world. They have created a land of make-believe that's worse than regular life." - P. J. O'Rourke, US humorist & political commentator (1947 - ).

Welcome to another end to another edition of Ubique's Monthly.  I hope you all enjoyed reading it just as much as I enjoyed putting it all together.  Many of the sections, I imagine, have been skipped over, and it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of skimming goes on, but that's okay.  This issue, like all the others before it, will always be up and available on the main site for anyone and everyone to read whenever they find the time.

My thanks goes out once again to our contributers.  A big round of applause for our ubiquitous reporters for their feature article contributions, and I hope everyone got as much of a laugh reading those as I did.  Everyone should take a moment to appreciate the funny in their lives, and the information that comes with it.  We strive to be as informative and entertaining as possible.

Please remember that we have taken the time to put together a very helpful set of documentation known more commonly as the Ubiquitous Guidebook, which can be found in our FAQs section on the main page of Mutual Endeavors. This group of FAQs has within it one very helpful article concerning how you, the readers, can help contribute to our newsletter.  If you ever find yourself asking "How can I submit news?" then please take a look and learn more.  Our expected deadlines for submissions always falls on the second to last day of any month, and in the case of the next issue that will be May 30, 2008.  Until next time, and as always, I will ever be...

Keeping you informed,

-- The Nefarious SM

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Ubique's Monthly
Mutual Endeavors