Ubique's Weekly

A Mutual Endeavors Publication 

Issue #14 ~ 17 November 2003

The Blurb

This Just In

Headlines

In Sports: There has been quite an uproar in Rhydin lately concerning the upcoming Rhydin Regional Invitational Karate Tournament. Nacthwulf Dojo will be represented by Miguel Quiñones (SN TBD) at the Rhydin Regionals. Mr. Quiñones will be the Rev's first student to compete in a major invitational event and will participate in weapons, forms, and fighting. The Rev. is very proud of his student and invites everyone to join him in wishing this fine young man luck in the upcoming event. To our delight, Ubique's Weekly has been welcomed to act as the primary news correspondent at the tournament. Be certain that we will be keeping you all up-to-date.

Marching One By One: On Friday night, the Silver Moon Inn suffered another not-so-malicious attack from the forces known as Hmte. Dris (BardGaIIant), Galad (Galadriendil), Laurel (Laurelin Snow) and Shun (XShunkun) were witness to an invasion of the small ants that have been clustering around the SMI lately. Small in relative terms, of course -- this particular case only consisted of the scouting one-footers. Unbeknownst to the witnesses, the ants were actually present to communicate to the sentry ants that were already lingering about the SMI. When they subsumed themselves into a fraction of the group-mind that is Hmte, they had this thought, "I am almost ready. The new ones are almost ready. Within the next day, the field test will begin. Leave only a few, to observe." Very shortly after that the visitor ants departed, leaving the observers to hide and wait.

Then it was on Sunday evening that the second wave moved to action. Max (Maxwell Spades), Gem (Gemethyst), Kevin (Kevin N Summers), Loranthias, Rachael Macleod, Toho (XPriestTohoX), Zeke (XZekeil DrakeX), Akito (XHayama), and Blythe Afton were present to witness as the Silver Moon Inn was assaulted by a giant ant. This one was accompanied by a number of small, 'scout' type ants. This particular creature was four feet long, dark red in color, and possessed a functional sting as well as serrated mandibles, clawed feet, and spiked and barbed chitin. It badly injured Akito and battered almost everyone in the room before Zeke hit it with a fireball that reduced it to ant pot pie. What is worse than this new breed of ant is Hmte's reaction to it's death. The hive-mind appeared to be satisfied with the outcome, as if it got what it wanted out of the encounter. It is expected that there will be more waiting in the wings...

One of our more devout researchers had this to say of what was witnessed: "The creature at the door is an ant, but nothing like the one foot long pale ones, and even more awful looking than the two footers. It is nearly four feet long, and everything about it is wicked in appearance. The chitin of the thorax is twisted into spikes and hooks, as if the creature is wearing a cathedral. The legs are of a similar kind, barbed and seemingly clawed. The abdomen, by contrast, is thin and flexible looking, waspish. But worst of all is the head; in addition to the long, serrated mandibles, the facial structure seems to have an expression, a fixed look of savage voracity, cunning and hungry rage."

Another eyewitness was even bold enough to send us a handful of freelance photographs of the scene. The aspiring Nick Summers (Kevin N Summers) had this to say: "Well, I just came from the Silver Moon after witnessing a gigantic ant, (uglier than I've ever seen in my life!) and a swarm of smaller, but no less gigantic ants come in and terrorize everyone. A few people got hurt, and there was a fair bit of damage, but after the rampage the creature was killed, burned to death."

The above photograph was chosen amongst the many sent in to help give our readers a better understanding of what Rhydin is dealing with! We here at Ubique's are personally praying for a miracle or the arrival of some godly hero to rid Rhydin entirely of the atrocious presence that is Hmte.

Missing Persons: Over the past week or so we have been receiving a number of letters from individuals all across Rhydin. These letters have been desperately requesting that somehow, some way we help them in discovering the whereabouts of lost and missing friends and family members. In further research, our findings have shown that several people have turned up missing with letters left in their homes. These letters were written on the same blue and green foil letterhead stationary with indistinguishable script similar to the SMI threat letters. The body of every letter found has simply read, "You have been warned. Join me or suffer the same fate." Officials tell us that none of the homes have shown any evidence of forced entry, nor were there any signs of struggle. However, there has been some form of bird blood found (possibly duck) splattered all over in an odd. Many have claimed it looks like a flattened circle. Very few names have been released to us at this time, but amongst those missing is a man by the name of Robin Kalahola. Staff members of the North Shore Surf School reported him missing earlier this week, detailing the same gruesome blood patterns as seen at other crime scenes. There will be more updates on this as they come to us.

In Other News...

Ahriman (TheAngraMaiynu): What was left of the last reporter sent to check on this individual was returned to the establishment in a cardboard boot box. Perhaps we should stop trying to investigate this one?

Aldous the Axe (SMI Axe): Has been busy selecting fabrics for uniforms and getting in touch with all SMI staff members. UW reporters are looking forward to conducting an exclusive interview with the new manager of the Silver Moon Inn. Any readers who would like to submit questions for Axe are invited to contact UW.

Anna (AriannaRavenwood): No news this week.

Ariana (ArianaMacGyldren): The green sister has been tending to family business and the bakery most of the week. About the only event of note has been Ariana's visit to the Silver Moon Inn while her heartson Dris (SMI Dris) was tending. Ariana continues to worry about her daughter Elaine's nightmares.

Banshee Aqua (Banshee Aqua): Has received full status as Ji'budoka and has advanced beyond initiate. He will soon be marrying longtime fiancee, Hunney. Date and time of the wedding will be announced soon.

Carmine (TaciturnMerc): He has collected quite the assortment of furniture and items for what has just got to be a charity drive for families with newborn babies. He is currently at work trying to recall just what charity this was exactly, and arrange for someone to come pick up the donations. Rumor also has it that he is recovering from a seven-month long illness thanks to helpful administrations of metaphysical doctoring from the mysterious woman known as Faye (Faye Random).

Cassiel (InvertedDarkness): He made a brief stop in the Medieval Tavern to try and offer some small comfort to Mesteno (Bronze Mesteno). He also conversed with Revari (KaleidoscopeWhim) and agreed to help keep an eye on sadist while his mother is away for the Winter.

Chaus (Wake up caIl): Chaus Malikie has been in a whole mess of confusing trouble lately. Awhile back, a daemon on a mission possessed his close friend, and went attacking people, trying to send Chaus a warning. Now the daemon is back and it looks like its trying to out-right kill Chaus. No one's really sure why, either -- it seems to be using Gem (Gemethyst) as a messenger to get to Chaus though.

Deputy Marshall Wynter (Rachael Wynter): The scarred law woman in black had a violent encounter with Don (DonatelIo Harada) this past week. After the encounter, which left her with a dislocated shoulder and mild concussion, Rachael has dropped the investigation about the "lighthouse finger murders." The two events of course aren't connected.

Dris (BardGaIIant): Experiencing the first wave of the Hmte Invasion in a long while. Putting up with Shun's (XShunkun) flirtations. Dealing with obnoxious patrons left and right at the Silver Moon Inn. Giving piano lessons to Loran (Loranthias). Trying not to let ghosts and poltergeists drive him completely insane. Spending some time with his heart-mother Ari (ArianaMacGyldren). Helping Carmine (Taciturn Merc) try to figure out what to do with all the furniture for whatever charity it's supposed to go to, as well as being as supportive as possible to the mercenary's slow recovery. Seven months abstinent hasn't been very easy on either of them.

Doctor Maranya Tatiana Valkonan (Maranya Valkonan): The good Doctor has been tending to her patients and has resumed her work with Mrs. VanHasselt. Maranya still has yet to be seen in public after returning from her mysterious trip out of town. About the only thing that is known about the trip is that she went away with Sydney (SmileFang), Donatello (DonatelIo Harada) and Seamus (Seamus Wylie) and returned with Seamus. Other than that, there's still no word on where the good Doctor went or why she went there.

Donatello Harada (DonatelIo Harada): No news this week.

Duncan (Duncan J Harper): We have pretty much concluded that we'll never find news on this one until he makes himself public once more.

Ehzoterik VonArcanum Tempestas (Ehzoterik): No news this week.

Elaine (Elaine Aqua): The most adorable little girl in the entire Multiverse still suffers from very bad dreams.

Emmy (Empress Grayfur): Empress Emerald of Grayfur has been spending an increasing amount of time acting as Elaine's personal escort, companion, and baby-sitter. She really doesn't have much to say about her siblings since her major concern is helping Elaine deal with those nasty nightmares. Purr lullabies can only do so much!

Erasimus Greene (PersistanceTime): Still no word on the gnome. He must be well and truly gone from this land, and thank goodness for that!

Faye: She Who Tends the Dead (Faye Random): There have been two occasions in which She has made herself present in physical realms of Rhydin. Each time she visited the Medieval Tavern in hopes of running across her heart-son Mesteno (Bronze Mesteno) to wish him well before her expected departure for the Winter. On her first trip, she met up with the Rev (Rev DiabIo) and learned that he is unhappy with his renewed existence. She has resolved to mourn for him during his troubled times. It was during her second trip that she was fortunate enough to run across Mesteno and tell him of the sorrowful news. It is evident that the longer her stay in the physical realm the more taxing it is on her energy supply. She has promised Mesteno that he will still have someone of the fae realms to turn to during her absence.

Foxpride Xavier Langston Pepper (Rings Twice): Has encountered many bouts of Kill the Messenger Syndrome lately. In a statement released to the press, the Postmaster General said, "We would like to remind all postal patrons displeased with the mail they receive that just because we open your mail, we aren't the ones who send it. All concerns regarding inappropriate packages should be directed to your regional LIPS postmaster. Please stop killing out carriers."

Fury (ReversedHaIo): The extremely elusive Fury was spotted earlier this week paying a visit to the Medieval Tavern. Short-lived, but at least it is obvious that she hasn't completely fallen off the face of Rhydin just yet.

Gem (Gemethyst): A lich is after Gem. He wants to give a "gift" to her child. Some bit of dark power it is suspected. He came to the Keep Saturday night to let her know this. Her doctor put a shield up around her to protect her, while Tom and several others tried to distract him. He had terrorized her earlier in the day at two different inns. He seems to be following her about. He gave a horrid vision to Nikki that basically knocked her socks off. Gem has been told by her doctor to take it easy and do nothing tiring or unnecessary, to start slacking up on coffee, and to find a replacement for her tending job. Most of our reporters who were bold enough to question her were offered to take over her tending job at the SMI while she is pregnant. Sadly, none of them wanted to be kind enough to help her out in that respect. Gem also finally managed to contact Faye (Faye Random) to discuss with her the properties of the mysterious map given to her by Gadreel (ASaintOfSinners). But much to her dismay, Faye claimed that she needed to consult with others of her kind before giving Gem any answers.

Jade (Irreverent Jade): It would seem that there has been something of a reconciliation of sorts between Jade and Randall (Elaborate Guns). The Earth Master and her adoptive "father" were seen together recently, apparently heading to dinner...young master Alexander seems to crave Mexican.

Kymeera: The Nightmare Keeper (The Dream Warden): For the first time in a long time (a time most of us had hoped would never come about), Kymeera made an appearance this weekend at the Medieval Tavern. He really didn't have any orders of business and is said to have commented to Mesteno (Bronze Mesteno) that the only reason he was about was to "have some fun." Included in his so-called fun was the act of tormenting a young werewolf to the point of nearly losing control of the beast within. It was a good day for the Nightmare Keeper.

Lady Calypso Proudfoot (Lady Proudfoot): Thinks that her little brother, Mozart is completely incorrigible and is giving all cats a bad name. He is a cat, not a puppy dog for goodness sake!

Mallora (Ma11ora): Has been very busy adjusting to life with triplets. They are all doing well, still healthy and growing as they should be.

Matriel (Rarefied Rain): Something has displeased the normally jolly old lady of the rains apparently. This week an entire city block in the high tech sector of Rhy'Din fell victim to a flash flood.

Mesteno (Bronze Mesteno): News spreads fast, especially when people try to keep things secret. It has become common knowledge that Mesteno and his husband have "called it quits." Overheard conversations have quoted Mesteno as saying that he was "not ready for a monogamous relationship." Many of his friends have tried to console him during this difficult time, but it is hard to tell whether or not they are being of any help. A visit from his heart-mother Faye (Faye Random) proved even more disheartening when she told him that she would be absent from the realms for the entire length of Winter. However, she has asked Revari (KaleidoscopeWhim) to act as maternal figure, aid, and messenger for the sadist during her absence. A well known fact that Mesteno does not like children may create difficulties as Revari most often presents herself in the glamoured guise of a five-year-old little girl. All and all, it seems it's been a pretty rough week for the sadist. Let's hope it gets better.

Mithril/Gadreel/Lusus (ASaintOfSinners): It has become increasingly difficult to track this one, but rumor has it that he still has a ghost problem and might even be working on trying to do something about it.

Mozart (Amadaeus Felidae): Dris did not need that sheet music did he?

Ophelia (EspressoBlues): Could it be that life has finally returned to normal for the coffee shop waitress? There have been no supernatural occurrences surrounding her for months. She thanks her lucky stars.

Pleione (StellarBalinese): Marking most of Rhydin and its surrounding areas as her personal territory, she thinks that her brothers and sisters need to get back in touch with nature. What's wrong with a little prowling now and then anyway?

Rei (AmethystStarfall): More wasabi please.

Rekah (Rekah Dravina): No news this week.

Revari: The Daydream Weaver (KaleidoscopeWhim): The spirit of memories and pleasant dreams has been very busy working in secret this past week. However, she was seen at the Medieval Tavern Sunday morning in the company of Cassiel (InvertedDarkness). After a brief discussion between them, she lingered behind to wait for someone. There were quite a few who knew her name when she spoke it. Spending most of the morning answering questions and promising a not so horrid Winter. In the company of a woman named Rendra (Rendra Malkus) and a man named Sammy (Angel of Edom), she was very patient to await the return of Mesteno (Bronze Mesteno) so that she could answer any questions he might have had as well. Having discovered that she liked her company, Revari granted both Sammy and Rendra (and her unborn child) protection in the Dreaming and a promise of pleasant dreams for a while. Safe from Kymeera's touch. The rest is a little vague, but what has been made most imperative is the fact that she has stated an urgency to speak with Mesteno face to face within the next six days.

Robin (Robin Kalahola): Has been reported missing by staff members of the North Shore Surf School. Details are limited but early reports state that bird's blood may have been found at the scene. Other details are sketchy. More on this as it comes in.

Rose (Electrum Rose): Rose and her husband (Drake Valkonan) made a recent appearance in the Keep, visiting Gem (Gemethyst) and making the acquaintance of Mestrangelo (MestrangeIo) and a number of the purveyor's friends. The singer and aspiring tattooist also made mention of making a visit to a certain green tendress sometime in the future. Pregnancy seems to be having a good effect on her...the entire little family appears quite happy.

Seamus Wylie (Seamus Wylie): No news this week.

Suphlatus (AInfernalElement): He is beginning to see what his master finds so attractive about this place and plans to stick around himself on occasion. He also denies that he has a bad case of the mange.

Suriel (Thirteenthchange): The angel of death has not been seen and all attempts to track him down have led in failure.

Sydney Harada (SmileFang): No news this week.

The Rev (Rev DiabIo): Has been busy preparing Miguel for the upcoming tournament but that's not the only thing going on right now. He has been busy dealing with moronic creatures of the dark and a new wave of Hmte. There are also reports of sparks in his love life but these claims remain unsubstantiated at this time.

Troy (Troy Embry): No news this week.

Vadriel (Vadriel de Guise): No news this week.

Valleana (Va11eana): Valleana has assumed control of the temple for the time being until Mallora feels she is ready to step back into the roll of Mistress again. She has also begun the magical training of her twins, Calleana and Caelan, so that they may one day take their place amongst the higher powers of the temple as a Prince and Princess of Valtash.

Yoshi (KitsuneNineTails): He has discovered that even to this day, there are still people out there who are willing to play Three Card Monte and part with their pocketbooks.

Classifieds

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Final Thoughts

Updates: Always remember that any future Ubique's Weekly submissions are always due the Sunday before every expected delivery date. UW is issued every Monday morning to afternoon, depending on how long it takes me to put everything together and send it off to the printers. Comments, questions, updates, additions, announcements, advertisements, etceteras are always welcome for every issue. While some may make it to the front page, there is no guarantee that all submissions will be printed. However, your thoughts are always encouraged to be shared. Just remember to send all of these aforementioned things to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than Sunday at midnight EST. I constantly look forward to hearing from each and every one of you. Until next time, I'll continue to be...

Keeping you informed,
--Nefarious SM
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