Amulets: More Than Just Chat
By Jeldharr Ethyrrial

As one walks through either the towns or the wilds of Elanthia, one notices a common amulet between the people. Everyone but the most neophyte adventurer wears a crystal amulet, which is arguably the most powerful magical item in the lands. Crystal amulets allow us to hear the thoughts of others in our minds, as well as to send messages to other adventurers. It is a global net that allows quick transfer of news between the residents of the various areas.

The "amunet" as many people call it, allows everyone to quickly and efficiently communicate news of merchants, invasions, and calls for help. One thing many people do not know about the "amunet," however, is that there are three separate "channels." If one rubs their amulet, they are tuned into the basic chat channel. If one pulls their amulet, they are placed onto the black channel, which is designated for buying/selling of items. When one turns their amulet, they are tuned into the white channel, which is designated for empath/cleric help.

If we all used these features of the amulet, we could become even more efficient in the transfer of information. Clerics and empaths could just tune into the white channel, and not have to watch all the buying and selling that generally goes on the amulet. People wishing to sell or buy items could tune into the black channel, which would be uninterrupted by invasion news or empath/cleric help. News on invasions and merchants could be broadcasted onto the gray channel. The people wanting information on invasions and the critters in them could simply tune in here. Currently, even during invasions, people insist on trading items on the gray channel. This hinders the people trying to distribute information that could possibly save your life.

If we all took full advantage of the amulet’s features, we could make Elanthia a much better place. People would be able to transfer information, call for help, and trade items with much more ease. No longer would there be fights between people over what should be where. We should all try to come together as a community and do this, because if we come together, we will be the strongest force in the lands.

Spell Changes Spur Tensions
By Kerebus Vitabane

Tempers have flared in the Wizard and Ranger communities in the light of the recent changes to the spells Strength and Phoen's Strength. The spells no longer add a bonus to spell aiming for wizard bolt spells, or ranged weapon aiming ability. This has led several to protest the changes.

Several wizards have sworn to refuse casting their now "useless" strength spell upon others, stating that "if we can't benefit from it, why should anyone else?" These protests have themselves been met with various responses throughout the lands. Some rangers sympathetic to the cause have helped in petitioning for change from above. Not everyone, however, has responded so agreeably to the striking wizards. Several empaths and empath groups have stated that they will refuse to heal any wizard who refuses to cast strength upon them because of the changes.

Overall, the response to the changes is mixed. Most agree that the increased ability in aiming spells and ranged weapons granted by the strength spells should be eliminated, citing the skill bonus as improper for spells which increase physical fortitude. Others argue, that along the same logic, the ranger Mobility spell (which increases dexterity) should now grant bonuses for aimed spells and attacks. While still others suggest that because the wizards' Strength spell is now useless for most wizards, it should be replaced by a spell that can grant bolt casting wizards at least some bonus. Wizards in this school of thought have cited the fact that spell aiming ability is still granted by the Major Spiritual spells Bravery and Heroism. "There's no reason why [Bravery and Heroism] should grant a bonus, while our own spell does nothing" argues Hickston, a long time wizard. Such sentiments are far from unanimous in the wizard community. Those wizards that categorize themselves as "fighter-wizards" are by far the least affected by the recent changes. Few of them see any need to protest the changes, and many support them.

Elanthia remains divided on the merits of these changes. One thing is for sure however, Wizards and Rangers should not expect any remedy to this tension anytime soon.

art by Wonday Ehah