"Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself." - Henry Miller, US author (1891 - 1980).

A thousand apologies for the delay in this month's issue of Ubique's Monthly.  As some of you may be aware, the Editor in Chief, myself, was out of town for about a week there.  Due to timing, I was unable to get the newsletter completely compiled, formatted, edited and published by the first of the month.  However, instead of not publishing it at all, I simply decided that it could be a little late.  Particularly considering the fact that a couple of the other Ink Wire Associates promised me articles if I delayed this issue.  You are not to be disappointed. 

Though we are once again low on individual character updates and headlines, my thanks goes out to those of you who sent in your submissions.  Ubique's Monthly would be nothing without the contributions provided by our readers.  Remember: our newsletter is written for players, by players, players like you.  The editorial staff is only here to make certain that you are entertained and that everything is formatted properly for ease of reading.  Don't be shy!  Send us your news!  But before that, read the news we have in store for you this month. 

Top Story!

"It's pretty clear now that what looked like it might have been some kind of counterculture is, in reality, just the plain old chaos of undifferentiated weirdness." - Jerry Garcia.

And now for something completely different.  Though first I must say that rereading last month's issue reminded me to write this in a seperate document first, then copy/paste it to the editor.  Hah!  My random ramblings pay off.

This month we're starting what we hope to be a new and well-received series of Top Story! feature articles as written by Ink Wire Associate T. S. Minch, better known by her handle here on Mutual Endeavors, The Signal.  In her own words, according to the thread she started on our forums under Staff Bulletins, Ubique's Monthly Recommended Reading, the idea is as follows:

"Periodically, I'd like to present reviews of books that might be of particular interest to the role-playing community at large. Much like character spotlight nominations, I would like for readers (there's a double meaning in that) to suggest things for me to read and review for UM. I am not looking for uber-mainstream things like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, but I am interested in having a look at anything that you might use as character inspiration, or anything that you think would appeal to other players."

So this month we are presenting you with the first in a series, or what we hope to be a series.  After reading this submission, the Nefarious SM was absolutely thrilled.  Particularly because she's started reading the books mentioned.  We can only hope that you find this next feature article as stimulating as the editor in chief did as well.  Click here to read more....

Storyline Spotlight

"When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also admit that some things are much more nearly certain than others." - Bertrand Russell, British author, mathematician, & philosopher (1872 - 1970).

Okay, so I lied. There. I admit it. I'm a big fat liar and I'm sorry to disappoint you readers.  The truth is, I didn't have as much time as I had hoped I would to get a Storyline Spotlight thoroughly researched and written to be published in this month's issue.  That's what happens when you're busy stressing about packing and moving.  My apologies.

This month I'm also going to use this section as an advertisement.  You may refer to it as SM's begging and pleading if you like.  Word has it that one of our Ink Wire Associates is going to be gone for the summer.  To be completely honest, there are only two other IWA writers other than myself.  One of them has pretty much been handed the perpetual Character Spotlight Feature writer stick, until further notice.  She's such a good sport and I really appreciate her help.

It would be really nice if we had more help.  Just a couple more people willing to research and write articles for us.  I would really, absolutely LOVE to see some feature articles going into this section of the newsletter, but it's enough work for me to just get the whole of Ubique's formatted and published month to month.  Any ideas out there anyone?  Any volunteers?  Come to the dark side; we have cookies.

This Just In

"Try as hard as we may for perfection, the net result of our labors is an amazing variety of imperfectness. We are surprised at our own versatility in being able to fail in so many different ways." - Samuel McChord Crothers.

Player of the Month = Gone :  According to this post, with an inquiry dated May 6, a very short and sweet reply from one of the RDI at Dragon's Mark administrators confirms suspicions.  As of no one knows precisely when, the DM administrative team seems to have decided to cancel the Player of the Month awards that used to be so very popular within that community.  This is disappointing news, but not too entirely disheartening.  Perhaps it seems that the realization was made that such favoritism can lead to complications and unrest between members.  We can only hope that the Character Spotlight here at Mutual Endeavors does not suffer the same ill fate.

RDI Image Gallery :  It seems that after much deliberation and hard work on the parts of the administrators that the Red Dragon Inn Dragon's Mark community has finally installed programming for personal image galleries.  This new community tool can be accessed here: Gallery :: Red Dragon Inn, and is available for use by all members.  However, this looks to be another tool that is not easily located and accessed from the main sites.  To find the gallery alternatively, go to the main RDI at Dragon's Mark website, click on the forum link at the top of the page, and look for Gallery in the little list at the top of the page along with the search and memberlist options.  The rules, like anywhere else, strictly prohibit copyrighted material, so fill your allocated space at your own risk.

Character Spotlight

"People who have no weaknesses are terrible; there is no way of taking advantage of them." - Anatole France, The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard, French novelist (1844 - 1924). 

The poll we ran in May for the next Character Spotlight nominees had far fewer voters than we've had in months previous.  In fact, one of our nominees received no votes at all!  This may have been a complication of lack of advertising as before.  I admit to being lazy and not popping around promoting the heck out of the next available poll as I have done at other times.  Do not be too disheartened, however.  We still have results and another character to feature.

The end results of our June Character Spotlight poll were as follows:  Our winner, with a landslide victory of 7 out of 10 total votes, giving her a 70% lead, was the character Suliss'urn Xukuth!  Way to take home that imaginary gold medal!  Three of the remaining four nominees all tied in for second place, each receiving one vote at a 10% total.  These characters were Alysia Skye, Arachne, and Sinjin Fai.  Sadly, our last nominee received no votes whatsoever.  Sorry, Mesteno.  I guess I should have spread the word around again for you.

Once again, our amazing Character Spotlight Feature Article interviewer and writer, SLWatson, has provided us with an amazing article for your reading pleasure.  To read about all you thought you know, never knew, and might like to know about Suliss'urn Xukuth, follow the link attached to her name and enjoy! 

In Other News...

"Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open." - Elmer G. Letterman.

Elias Montero (Deslustrado):  A meeting and discussion with a recent lead has left the inspector doubting his own purpose.  Rhydin is finally starting to get to him, and the learning of certain knowledges have left him uncertain.  Is his justice really worth it now?  What can he, a mere mortal man, really do to acquire the peace of mind he has been searching for for so long?

Faye: She Who Tends the Dead  (Faye Random):  On the 4th of May, the Linewalker met with a human by the name of Elias Montero, one whom she has found to be rather intriguing.  The details of their meeting and discussion are not well known, but it seems she has invested an interest in what role this man's life plays in the life of her son.  Rumor is also beginning to spread that Faye's existence is in fact limited.  Is it true that she is dying?

Gage Sterling  (Aversion Toward): Because of his roommate/lover being locked up in the loony bin, the whore without a pimp has gone back to the streets.  Maybe better off there than sharing an apartment with a psychopath, but ... working on his own?  Uh oh.  That can only mean trouble.

Gavin  (Chaos Reclaimed):  Rumor has it he has escaped, finally, from the mental institution that had been holding him hostage.

Havoc  (Chaos Reclaimed):  The spawn has been up to his usual no good these past months.  Of particular note, he too seems to have invested an interest in the existence of the mortal man Elias Montero.  Additionally, it is rumored that he presented Faye with a proposition meant to increase her natural lifespan.

Icarus Marcotte  (SubtIe Iies):  Icarus bought a peach farm. Why? Nobody knows.

Renley Killian  (A Common Cur): The blind psion has pretty much been doing the same old, same old.  Spending his days plotting and planning many devious and dasterdly plots and plans.  Or so many may think of him.  He has, on few random occasions, dropped by the Rambling Rose Tavern to see (hah) what's been going on.  Still nothing amazing of note.

Salvador Delahada  (Karmic Venganza):  Salvador has been spending his days making new friends and trying to decide how best to make ammends for his past mistakes and crimes.  It's amazing!  He's actually making new friends.  Differences of opinion circulate even more these days.  Some of his friends think he's a cruel and heartless bastard, while others are seeing him an entirely different light, such as a kind-hearted young man who is trying hard to do good.  Yeah, I know.  Not an easy thing to believe.

Sinjin Fai  (Sinjin Fai):  Sinjin has been laying low from the public eye lately (enjoy it while it lasts), but he was recently spotted at the Medieval, conversing with a skunk. Typical.

Suliss'urn Xukuth  (Natha Oreb, SulissurnXukuth):  See this month's Character Spotlight feature, as well as: Rumor has it that miss charming has been hanging about a rather seedy old Rhydin tavern by the name of the Wicked Wench lately. Those who know her are probably a might confused, since the drow is not known for her more social aspects.

Valentine Shyre  (XValentineShyreX):  Poor Val.  Seems she's found a bit of trouble again.  It's not her fault, she was just protecting herself.  She's alright.  A little bit of blood, and a cut that'll leave a scar but she came out okay and with a smile on her face.  She'd won the first round.  What kind of trouble has she really gotten herself into?  At least this time, it's not her fault.  As for everything else, she's avoiding the pub and the Rose hasn't exactly been calling her name.  She misses her bo...well, Sal.  She seems to have lost the others.  And as much as she hated that dog, her last piece of Wren is gone.  Time to clean the apartment.

Classifieds

"Promote yourself, but do not demote another." - Israel Salanter.

Ctrl+Alt+Del :  Video gamers and overall gaming fans may appreciate this webcomic.  It is, by far, currently the Nefarious SM's very favorite.  Presented by the artistic and comedic genius of one Tim Buckley, who has been known to attend various conventions nationwide.  If you want a good laugh, check this sit out daily.  Who knows.  You might just see some characters or scenarios that remind you of people and situations you know well.

deviantART: where ART meets application! :  The deviantART gallery is probably by far the most popular community of budding artists on the Internet.  From fanart to original works, there are no set boundaries concerning the creation of user profiles and works posted to personal galleries.  Many of your fellow role-players, those who can draw or work a digital paint brush well, have their very own accounts with this largest art community known the world over.  Check it out!

Encyclopedia Mythica :  This online resource is one in a million.  Within the Encyclopedia Mythica, you can search a comprehensive database and learn about any historical culture you may be curious about, even information that may prove useful in your gaming.  Have a character of Greek, Norse, or Celtic origin?  Then this site may be ideal for you in finding those cultural tidbits of fact that can make your characters and their stories come across as more real and believable.

Kraith Collected :  According to our sources, and the site itself, the Kraith Collection is online community dedicated to the Star Trek universes fandom.  "This material is of interest to writing students of the WorldCrafters Guild, to Star Trek fans, folklorists, literary historians and researchers."  Mixed reviews concern this collection, but if you're a fan of the ST franchise, you might want to check it out for yourself.

Lackadaisy :  Winner of several 2008 Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards, such as: Outstanding Artist, Outstanding Character Rendering, Outstanding Black and White Art, and Outstanding Website Design!  All of this is absolutely true.  Go and take a look at the creative genius of Tracy J. Butler.  You certainly won't be disappointed.

Seventh Sanctum :  Probably one of the most difficult tasks, apart from naming a character, is naming the bars and taverns and establishments these characters frequent.  At Seventh Sanctum, you'll find tools for writers, gamers and artists.  A dozen and more random name generators for your evil organizations, pirate ships, curious villains, quirky sidekicks and much, much more!

Announcements

"When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power." - Hugh White, US politician (1773 - 1840).

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.  For that information you'll just have to do some research and asking around of your own.  Special thanks to the Encyclopedia Rhydinica for keeping a comprehensive list of character biographies that include birthdays.

Character Birthdays  :  Andrea Rowe (6), Archie Kennedy (6), Arianna Ravenwood (8), Bertie Hausenfelter (25), Carragena (28), Ecthelion (9), Martin Gilcrest (26), Moon Chynne Innes (6), Padi Innes (29), Quinn Norcross (3), and Sevastian Braeden (26).

Player Birthdays :  Caytlin Bennet (15).

Final Thoughts

"Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose." - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.

All righty!  That takes care of another issue of Ubique's Monthly.  I'm going to make these final thoughts short this month and just hurry up to get the postponed issue damn well published.  Remember to send your updates for the next issue, scheduled for release July 1st, to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by the deadline of June 29th.  I need at least two days to get the rush submissions formatted and installed into the next issue.  Anything I receive after that, unless circumstances prove otherwise, which I'm doubting will happen again, will not be published in the July issue.

One final thing.  There will be no Character Spotlight feature article for the month of July.  I put out a call for nominations early and received no responses in the post.  Therefore, I have no names to put into a poll.  Not to mention, since this issue was so late getting published, there really isn't any time for any fair voting to be done and Steff to get an interview done and article written.  So!  Sad to say it, but this decision has already been made.  Enjoy your month off, Steff.  Unless, by some small miracle, that past winner gets spat out of Limbo and finally gets his interview done.

Until next time, I'll continue to be... 

Keeping you informed,

-- The Nefarious SM

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Ubique's Monthly
Mutual Endeavors