World flavor, fluff and background

[Anastasia]

Runic Translations, volume 3

A working translation of various runic writings on items recovered from the deep underground by the Chameleon Consortium. Each line is a different bit of translation and is not connected to the previous.

A note from the forward says that translating this speech is difficult. The structure and meaning of it is highly suggestive rather than concrete.

There (were/are/is?) dwarves and other(?) dwarves.

Beneath sky is right. Level sky(?) is serpent(?). Serpent sky blue and [untranslated words] cold breath.

Arms battle lost fairly(?) supreme. It is not known by (they/them/him/her?).

Give love to Prince Gerowew(proper name?)!

[Untranslated words] dreaming garden [untranslated words] under fire sea(?).

Oarrulegyia(proper name?) bane fairly.

Bright stones(rocks/gems/dirt?) made 12 days(?) or spoiled.

Come now [untranslated words] (prince/princess/knight/knightess?) we all.

[Anastasia]

Dwarven Special Forces

A passage from Dwarven Military Structure by Myssi Sherbrooke, speluncomancer.

There are few worse opponents than dwarven hexagon. These soldiers are capable of defeating seasoned heroes and are the backbone of dwarven special operations. Any adventurer that opposed organized dwarf resistance will have to deal with this menace.

Dwarven special forces are crack units that emphasize a combined offensive and defensive excellency in melee, coupled with support from the rear through magic and/or arrows. They are organized into hexagon units of six dwarves, which are further divided into a pair of three dwarf trigons. The two trigons are known as the front trigon and the rear trigon.

The front trigon is focused on melee battle above all else. This trigon consists of a center dwarf with a dwarf on its right and its left; the center dwarf is trained in the arts of a dwarven defender and a technique known as 'allied defense'. This dwarf focuses on the defense of the front trigon while the two other dwarves excel in punishing strikes with all the power they can muster. This trigon is relatively immobile and seeks to pin opposition into a protracted exchange of blows. To this end, tripping, disarming and other option-limiting tactics are routinely used.

The rear trigon is dedicated to the support of the front trigon by ranged destruction. The exact composition of these units is somewhat varied, as many dwarf clans do not have many or any mages. While mages are preferred, many trigons rely on skilled archers instead. No matter which, this trigon relies on concentrated attacks on objectives already engaged by the front trigon. With the enemy already pressed by the front trigon, the philosophy is that the rear trigon will be free to inflict grievous losses.

Both trigons are trained in stealth and awareness. Other skills vary, but an emphasis on battlefield medicine and battlefield knowledges are preferred, as well as survival techniques. Each hexagon is expected to be able to survive indefinitely should the need arise.

[Anastasia]

Some articles aren't meant to be taken seriously. This is one of them. So only consider it as canon as you care it to be.

BREAKING ENTERTAINMENT: LADY OF MUSHROOMS TO WED!

By Cryssa, Pixie Reporter.

This news, stunning! The ring, spectacular! As our esteemed Prince Broadpyne would say, today's news is a stunning spectacle of continued amusement. The Lady of Mushrooms has chosen to wed her man-at-arms, Feather of the Wolf Eyes. The druid Gildas and the gift-bearer John are CONFIRMED to be at the wedding. Add two of the hottest servants to a star wedding and it's the season's new must-see event!

For those of you who have been lost in their mantles, the Lady of the Mushrooms is this year's hot topic. Her innovative use of sheer violence, murder and mushrooms has provided luxe entertainment throughout the Vastwoods. Her employment of human and elven men-at-arms has been absolutely inspired, drawing raves from figures such as Prince Broadpyne, Lady Valisha and the Dreamer.

On being informed of the news, Prince Broadpyne released the following statement, "Happiness, maximum! Our duty to entertain the wedding, paramount!" Prince Broadpyne has called a meeting of his court to discuss emergency entertainment measures for the wedding. Meanwhile, Lady Valisha had the following comments, "It's about time. I knew them back when they when she was the Prisoner of Mushrooms. You could tell even then that they were made for each other."

With the news now out, everyone in the know is talking about the wedding dress. One insider wasn't willing to come forward publicly, but did dish this, "What else could it be but the skin of her enemies and mushrooms? Expect a daring number that shows some leg, shoulder and the rotting face of Johann." However, this opinion isn't without controversy. "The Lady of Mushrooms is all about innovating through new applications of resources and massive violence. It's also little known secret that she has a servant with a mantle over blood. Honey, her dress is going to redefine blood mushrooms. I don't want to spoil anything, but expect some violence before the I dos!"

(Con't on page 4)

Articles inside today's edition of Pixie News

How to get the rugged look of Feather in six easy steps!
Missy-Anne, John of the gift's new paramour...and the Lady of Mushroom's secret plan to give her a gemstone mantle!
A summary of current wars and affronts by guest columnist Knight Remizz Fairwind!
This week's auguries about spirit men activity, Stratum soldiers and undead!
And much more!

[Anastasia]

Eternal Life

A pamphlet distributed around the Orales of Estenfair by an unknown author. It is preserved as a curiosity.

Who wants to live forever? Everyone does! The Grim Reaper is the enemy and you hold in your hands the weapon that can put him down for good!!!! That's right, you can LIVE FOREVER!!!!

The secret to living forever is all around you! Go on, see that grass, those furry animals and those birds! Each and every one of them shares one thing in common with you: POSITIVE ENERGY!!!!

POSITIVE ENERGY is the key to living forever! It's what we call energy, life force and everything like that! When a devout casts a healing spell, they channel POSITIVE ENERGY!!!!!

So you need to get more POSITIVE ENERGY and you can live forever! It's like getting more money to stop being poor! It's that simple! It's the gateway to true and real ETERNAL LIFE!!!!!!

Have faith and you too can avoid dying! Don't worry, there's lots of ways to get POSITIVE ENERGY! The key to endless youth and vigor is right around the corner, RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

The first way is to make a devout cast at least 10 healing spells on you per day, when you are not wounded! The POSITIVE ENERGY will reverse your aging, just like that! You'll never age another day, EVER!!!!

But that's the hard way! You don't have time to do that, do you! There's a better way! See, the secret is that every creature is a fountain of POSITIVE ENERGY!!!!! You just have to take the POSITIVE ENERGY right away from them! Don't worry, it's really easy!

You have to get a person! Elves are even better and the Fair Folk are best! Tie them down good and [The following description has been removed pursuant to the 5th Dictate of Sal Barges]. The POSITIVE ENERGY just flows out in that geyser of blood! Toss the [The following description has been removed on the same ground as the previous] and just let the POSITIVE ENERGY come into you!

The best part is if you have a Fair Folk! The bleeding won't ever stop. Eat and drink as much as you can, because it's saturated in POSITIVE ENERGY! Keep eating and and ignore the curses! It's important to keep eating so the curses won't work! All the POSITIVE ENERGY from the Fair Folk will fix you right up! If you have any deformities, amputations or other losses, they should heal as you soak up even more POSITIVE ENERGY!

When you get this much POSITIVE ENERGY, you'll see results! For a human, each year of lifespan left in them grants an extra 3 days of life! Real life! Elves are better, each year grants a whopping 4 DAYS!!!! 4!!!!! That adds up super-quick! The best part is if you get a Fair Folk! A Fair Folk grants 1 week for every mouthful of blood and flesh you get!!! 1 WEEK!!!! Plus they NEVER run out until you stop!!!!! NEVER!!!!!! A dedicated person can get YEARS!!!!!!

[The back of the pamphlet was dedicated to certain drawings, which have been removed pursuant to the 5th Dictate of Sal Barges].

[Anastasia]

????

????

You know this without knowing how or why. It's simply in your minds as a memory with no known origin. No matter how you wrack your thoughts, you can't recall where it came from.

It is time.

It is time.

It is time.

Begin.

Begin.

Begin.

You never understood the death curses, did you?

You understand the mantles.

The wyverns were a trial.

You destroyed the false mantle of undeath. That was important.

Energy is magic and dragons are magic, so dragons are energy. Too much energy, nearly kills them. But that energy comes from another energy. You have to understand.

You understand the mushrooms. Good.

The kobolds are not the answer. You understood.

What is lost cannot be recovered, except when it can.

The lizards are death. You understand.

The runes are the truth, as you understood.

Dwarves are not the answer or the problem, as you understood.

The frivolity of the Fair Folk is the enemy. You understood that. That was the most important thing of all.

Eternal life is eternal stagnation. You have seen that and understood it.

Goodbye, my friends. If you succeed, I'll visit you in your dreams. Dreams are the passage to what may be or never was. The collective dreams allow passage to the realms of what might have been and what could be. I want to dream and never awaken to the nightmare of the world again. I fear that I - we. All of us are broken. We are all broken and my studies of the fey mean I cannot look away.

I understand that you are hope. Be hope to those who do not know that they should hope for something better. Save us Fair Folk from ourselves.

[Anastasia]

Some articles aren't meant to be taken seriously. This is one of them. Don't consider it canon.

A Pixie FM Production

Everyone's here? Good. Last night I got word from the mantle: There's a new mushroom out there and the natives have kidnapped it.

In a world where mushrooms play an even bigger role...

They took it to a temple full of strange and profane things. We have to rescue it.

A party fights not for glory or gold, but for the betterment of mushroom kind...

Right! To the mushroom karts!

A world that took that mushroom thing way too far...

Go go go go Mushroom Rescue Team!

The Vastwoods: Mushroom Rescue Team!

Shit! They have tentacled horrors in there! Get the mushroom launchers!

Nonstop action for and by mushrooms...

Gildas, cast Summon Mushrooms!

Special spellcasting made by the finest fungi...

Boss, boss! He's blocking with a mushroom cap! His skin is made out of mushrooms! HELP!

Where the party found the benefit of becoming mushrooms...

Now! Mushroom Rescue Team, ATTACK!

Vastwoods: Mushroom Rescue Team. Coming to Pixie FM this summer!

[Anastasia]

Bonus Book

Myann found this while checking over her various mementos. She suspects it to be a Sidhe prank of some sort. Right?

Live at 6, Pixie FM News!

Well, well, well. Someone's made it here. Congratulations. Your reward is to find out about people you met on your journey.

Samuel

Stays at Holset's Tavern and lives the rest of his life with his wife and adopted children. Continues to find innovative ways to swear.

The Centaur Children

The orphans find the greatest miracle of all, a community willing to accept them. Joins Porridge's Dragonslayers in adulthood.

Mayor Redmond

Spends the remainder of his days collecting knowledge and tinkering with stranger things yet. Perhaps this may change in the future?

The Sidhe Scholar

In time, the heroes break the curse on him and help him find sanity. Dies after making amends for his past misdeeds.

Robert Holset

Becomes the first Mayor of Holset. Between this, the brood and his wife, he rarely has a moment to himself. He's never been happier.

Missa 'Missus' Holset

Amid rearing her children and seeing to her household, she begins to study about the mantle system with Kral and the heroes. When asked, points out that she'd rather not spend centuries as a widow.

Em Holset

Enjoys the spring of her life with full vigor and energy.

The Kobolds Below

The kobold encampment continues to expand. With judicious instruction and luck, most of the holy explosions are used against the mindants and shocker lizards. Cave ins are down 62%!

Shaman Ten'ten'tal

Continues to accrue shinies. A marriage proposal to Tangles was politely rejected, but he continues to woo the Giver of the Shiny.

Kral

Stays in Holset and instructs Gildas in the ways of the druids. Quietly disapproves of Eltia's lifestyle.

Eltia

Works with Hylath as one of the new heroes of Holset. Is known for her power duets and solos with Hylath during battle.

Vasili

Is content to continue his studies and routinely visit Holset. Pioneers the creation of blood mushrooms with Myann.

Hylath

With the heroes often abroad as preparations against the Stratum continue, he comes the premier hero in Holset. Works with Eltia.

Rashen

Competes against himself to build the most interesting buildings in Holset. Has recently took on commissions from the kobolds and a few pixies.

Brutes

Works away in the fields so that everyone has enough to eat. These days, that's not working too hard at all.

Porridge Holset

Grows up to be a great hero. Forms Porridge's Dragonslayers and claims the Lost Axe of Porridge Sr, which is then used to open the skulls of many a monster.

Lesea

Stays as schoolmarm of Holset. Spends much of her free time with Missy-Anne and John. Yet she keeps looking to the sky, as if she feels something wrong in a higher layer.

Missy-Anne

Studies magic to distract herself from heartbreak. The discovery of natural talent at healing is only matched by her talent at transmutations. Mantle and mushroom energies are blamed.

Tangles

Enjoys every day of her long desired freedom. Her ability to produce gold allows Holset to buy goods from traders and caravans for essentially nothing. Is a major component to Holset's idyllic lifestyle.

Lady Valisha

Vanishes along with her personal abode. Yet whispers claim she still practices the arts of the resosil in a remote corner of the fairy world.

Knight Fairwind

With the madness of the mantles reduced, soon remembers his previous life as a human woodsman. He finds his grandchildren and watches over them to this day.

Prince Broadpyne

Becomes a handsome dryad prince. That a dryad -prince- can exist annoys other dryads to no end, but he doesn't seem to care. Becomes King of the Vastwoods Court.

The Past and Future King

Sleeps away. The pixies that protect him are as strong as ancient fey and defeat all comers. It is said that a ethereal woman watches over him in his dreams.

King Applepine

Abdicates the throne to his son, then vanishes with his Queen. He seems endlessly lost in thought.

The Enforcer

Has not been seen since the fall of the Fellowship. His current location is a mystery, but Gildas continues to investigate.

Ribby

His travels never end.

Sleep well. I promise I'll watch over your dreams. Perhaps, if we all awaken again?

Good night.

For the mushrooms.