For a Lady Beyond Compare

Much to our chagrin, this issue is marred by the passing of several of our friends. Dame Wanton Destruction was among those who have passed beyond all Pales. Her passing leaves many in the Lands saddened. We spend time recalling, with fondness, the times she spent with us. Every moment spent with her was a pleasure and many looked forward eagerly to the times when the crier would anounce her presence at Silverwood Manor, tutoring those new to western Elanith.

I recall with great fondness the night she showed me the stars visible from a certain holding. The tale of one of those constellations is in the last issue of the Times. It was this time spent with her that endeared her to me.

After she showed me the stars visible in the Elanthian skies, the official studies of the constellations from Ta'Illistim arrived on my desk. I grew despondent, even considering a permanent retirement to the Lands of my birth. My research seemed trivial next to such a source of information. I spoke with her at length at a rather large Gathering.

It was she that encouraged my continued research. It was she that dispelled all notions of retirement from my troubled mind. She believed my research surely benefitted the Lands and those in it. Her kind, caring words soothed my bitter mind, and urged me to remain in the Landing.

If not for her, I would not be penning this discourse. If not for her... If not for her, the Lands would surely be a much poorer, less bright place. She truly, exceptionally fulfilled her position as a Mentor and she deserved much, much more. She cared for the Lands as no other.

She was loved. She was my friend.

She will be missed sorely, but she will never be forgotten.

Brakian Warbringer

Ode to a Distinguished Rogue
by Ashemu

When jest a pup, new to tha town,
I paused ta rest me bones.
'Twas late at night, and most sane folks
Was snoozin in dere homes.

Tha square looked nice, so's I picked a spot
And smooched a mug of stout.
Tha empath folk was mendin wounds
Of whoever was about.

And den I heard a voice proclaim
"That lot great healin', ma'am!"
I scanned tha crowd ta find tha source,
And me eyes fell on a man.

A rogue he was, a half-elf teef,
Tho he din't look too scary.
He wore a grin, from ear to ear,
His disposition merry.

His gear was odd: a mess of stuff
Dat din't inspire no dread.
A pair of wings, a "good rogue" toy,
A halo on his head.

He rolled around, he tickled folk,
He drooled and raised his fist.
Tha empaths was at first perplexed,
But soon dey got his gist.

He wore "cologne" -- well, of a sort.
Din't care about his cuts.
As he dabbed himself with healin ales...
I think, "Who is dis nut?".

"LawNinja thank!", he said ta one,
And hugged her with all his might.
Tha smile I seen dat crossed her face
Stays with me ta dis night.

More time passed, and before long
I went ta join a house.
Paupers called -- tha bar looked good,
And tha folk din't seem like louts.

Ta my delight, I discovered dat
LawNinja was a boarder.
Minglin dere, we soon crossed paths and
Became friends in short order.

Funny, loyal...strong of heart.
He was all of dese things.
But beyond all dat, dere was nothin like
Tha joy dat guy could bring.

I'm normally a cheery sort,
Try not ta let things fester.
And on dose days when feelin down,
I'd seek out tha house jester.

He'd pull ya toward him, beamin' big,
His eagerness alarmin.
At any time, in any place,
Din't matter if beasts was swarmin.

And soon ya found, yer heart was right...
Yer troubles were a goner.
He never scammed er bullied folks...
He plied his trade with honor.

His language skills was limited,
But he never made a false step.
He'd cut through crud with pithy terms,
Er a quick, well-chosen "Yep, yep".

"Box box", "shiny rocks", a shouted "Oof!",
Tha occasional "thingie ma bopper,"
LawNinja had a way with words --
ta my mind, there's no topper.

Ta dose who loved him, strong and true,
I know his passin' hurts.
But I do believe his spirit lasts,
So's I leave ya with dese words.

Tha day will come when I depart --
I ain't tha eternal kind.
But when I pass on thru tha gates,
I know what I will find.

I'll keep me ears pealed, listenin close,
Fer sounds of cheer and joy.
I'll look among the crush of folks for a
Wavin "Good Rogue" toy.

I'll scour tha streets, I'll search tha town,
And in a peaceful square...
In the middle of a laffin crowd,
I'll find LawNinja dere.

And den I'll smile -- I'll know I'm home.
Me friend will smile back too.
He'll run and try to tackle me,
Asking... "How Ashemu do?!"

In Memory Of Tezeal Stonespire

He was a giant in every way.

Big laugh, big heart, big shoulders.
He was a good, decent, kind man.

A friend.

A hero to some. A legend to others.

He did what he could to aid others.
He was a guide to some.
He was an example to follow, to strive to become.

He wielded weapons with ease and did it so effortlessly.
He made things look easy.
He did things easily that would take others years to learn.

He was someone to lean on and he always seemed to know the right way to do things.

He was a leader, a fighter, a man.

He was my friend. I'm proud to have known him in the short time I did.
I regret that I did not know him longer.
I am poorer for that.

Tezeal, may you be in a better, happier place, my friend.
We'll hoist a glass and laugh while we tell tales about you.

We'll honour your name each and every day, warrior.

We will not forget.
Ever.

In memory of Tezeal - dammit.

Axe high, my brother.

Corrig Irontoe
Forgelord of the Khanshael
Lieutenant of the Black Velvet Band