Story by Learhianna

A new town council has been formed to serve as aids to Hadrian and act when he is not available to deal with issues as they arise. The council will also serve to keep Hadrian advised of the goings on in Haven and act as the voice of the people.

"These people are made to act in Hadrians stead since his position requires him to move around alot. Hadrian believes that these people have a better concept of the attitudes of our town and are capable of making a well-informed decision in a hurry instead of him teleporting in and having to make a decision without knowing all the angles," says Councilman Cicero.

Council meetings will generally be held in an open forum and everyone is welcome to attend, though it is asked that all comments or questions are held until you are recognized by the council. Hadrian has also empowered the council to act in matters of Justice. To enact low justice there must be three council members present to make the decision. To enact high justice Kadeer must be present as well as one of Hadrian's representatives, and there must be a total of five council members present.

Councilmembers:
Kadeer of the Mages of Alkizadon- chair
Sir Tristaver of the Kings Guard- appointed as a representative of Hadrian
Dame Glynna of the Kings Guard- appointed as a representative of Hadrian
Hawk- appointed by Hadrian
Moto- appointed by Hadrian
Kayia Earthrunner- elected by popular vote
Cicero of the Tzinzari- Elected to the council by popular vote

Story by Learhianna

Lord Justinious has issued an order that each Heartmember is to choose his own stance in the current unrest. It is believed that this choice will make the Heart better able to protect the lives of the people of Urth. Heartmembers will be wearing colors to denote which side of the conflict they have chosen to serve on: green and white for Gawaine's side, black and gold for the Empire, or yellow and red if they wish to remain neutral.

The Housemembers who serve in Haven and were present when Matriarch Jessica brought Lord's orders have all chosen the green and white.

In the battlefield, Heart- members will continue to do their duty and trry to prevent death on both sides of the line, but they will now be able to choose to provide more than basic healing to one side or the other. Heartmembers may be taken prisoner by both sides, but will be allowed to return to the side of their choice at the conclusion of each battle.

Heartmembers wishing to remain neutral will be transfered out of Haven to another chapter House.

submitted by Zelma of the King's Guard

Recognition of G*waine*s Laws in the Lands of Arkon:
The following laws have been established for the citizens of Arkon by Hadrian, anyone failing to uphold these laws will suffer swift justice.
There shall be no murder.
There shall be no theft.
There shall be no assault.
Any acts of treason will be persecuted to the full extent of Hadrian's power under G'waine's authority.

Reorganization of the Military in Arkon:
The Knights of Thassell are now part of the King's Guard. The rank of the Knight member will transfer to the appropriate rank and duties of the King*s Guard. All tabards of the Knights of Thassell are to be recognized as members of the King*s Guard. The King's Guard is charged with the defense of the Realm.
Consolidating the Darrendale Rangers and the Green Army in the area has formed the King's Rangers. The Rangers will be assuming the duties of the Green Army in Arkon. All tabards, ranks, duties, and titles of the Darrendale Rangers and those of the Green Army will be recognized within the bounds of Arkon.

Reorganization of the Mages Guild of Haven:
The Mages Guild of the Kothite Empire has been disbanded and will no longer be recognized as a legitimate organization within the Arkonian lands of Hadrian.
Mages of Magic have been formed by the Mages of Alkizadon. This is not a local group of mages, but a collection of individuals who have proven themselves worthy. To obtain membership one must be invited and must have a good standing within the local mages group.
Academy of Mages has been formed by the citizens of Haven and is recognized by the Mages of Alkizadon and Hadrian as the official local Mages Guild. Anyone seeking entrance into the Academy please consult Nikith or Ruby. Nikith and Ruby are serving as joint leaders of the Academy of Mages. Nikith will serve as the battlefield leader and Ruby will be the talking voice of the Academy.
Until further decisions by Hadrian or his representatives or the Mages of Alkizadon, all magics excepting the Path of Death, are acceptable for those who can use magics to learn. However, any use of magics will be judged according to the laws of the land.

of Neutrality:
As per the decree of G'waine, there shall be no neutrality in the conflict with the Kothite Empire. All who declare themselves neutral will have 24 hours to decide upon allegiance to Hadrian and G'waine. If during this time they commit any acts against the laws of G*waine, they will be viewed as hostile towards the citizens of Arkon and will be persecuted with extreme prejudice and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Any, who arrive in a neutral stance, are not guaranteed safety. It is advised that they seek shelter within the Heart of Haven during the 24 hour period. However, as the Heart, is beyond the laws of Hadrian and G'waine, it will be their decision as to whether or not they will allow said person admittance within their doors. Also be warned that using the Heart as a refuge from the laws of the lands of Arkon will not be tolerated. Any who arrive in a neutral stance should be watched, as they are not allies, but not persecuted, as they are not enemies. They should also be advised that they will be asked to leave the area if they should try to remain neutral or will not side with the citizens of Arkon.
Please direct all neutral arrivals to the attention of Ruby Rosa. She has volunteered to act as a town greeter for the new arrivals. It is suggested that all members of Haven aid her in this endeavor. Please feel free to speak to the new arrivals about the rebellion against the Kothite Empire.
All citizens of the Arkonian basin are to be viewed as citizens of Hadrian and G'waine. All farmers, merchants, and other citizens who live in this area should be protected to the best of our abilities as well as assisted if needed. It is asked that any who wish to travel the area around Haven to speak with the farmers and other citizens please educate them upon what the rebellion is and see how you or the rebellion can help them. Remember, weapons protect us on the field of battle, but supplies (food, drink, clothing) allow us to fight on the field.

Handling POWs:
G'waine has requested that all those that serve within the army of Koth be given the opportunity to switch sides.
If they choose to support G'waine; remove all weapons from them and escort them to the King's Rangers or to the Manor house.
If they choose not to switch sides; disarm and restrain them to the best of your ability and remove them from the field of battle. It is suggested that you do not kill them because of the fact that the Kothites have access to Heartstones and they will return to their commanders with information.
Take all hostile POWs to the King's Rangers, King's Guard or the Manor house dungeon.
Any neutral victims that are found during a battle with the Empire should be sent to Tyrol.

Imperial Guilds:
All Imperial Guilds are no longer recognized in the lands of Hadrian.
It is requested that new guilds be formed quickly to replace the Imperial ones. Anyone wishing to start a new organization please contact one of Hadrian's representatives. There is an immediate need for a merchant organization. Other organizations that are needed are forest, water and land usage organization; mining organization; and entertainment organization.

Immediate Concerns addressed by Council Members:
Acknowledgement of Imperial column heading through Sorrow Woods towards Haven, with expected goal of Arianna plains to the East Haven.
Negotiations with the Sandmen.
Tribe of the Moon members are no longer recognized as slaves.

by Rowan of Reignfire

Totems always have an interesting way of asking for assistance. Quite frequently, they appear only to you, ask you to follow them, and take you off somewhere separated from everyone else until a group has formed. Luckily, even if we don*t have a totem, Wolf, sometimes better known as Richard, will gather those that are needed for their quests. This is what occurred to a large group of us last gathering. Our totems, or Richard, called upon us to assist with a current problem on the totem realm.

With Hawk leading the way, or rather explaining what we were getting into and getting us onto the totem realm and then stepping back into the background, as usual, we made our bumpy ride to the totem realm. Seems that a group of spirits, those of one barbarian tribe's dead, had gotten stuck on the totem realm on their way to the Spirit realm. The totems couldn't remove them and the only person that could was on our realm, and they would transport us to this person.

We appeared in a land very different from ours, very dry and dusty. It was a desert with a great deal of scrub brush covering the land. We asked around for this person we were searching for, the Pathkeeper, and after a few interesting incidents including a woman that looked quite mad and the rest of the people that referred to our dear Teague as evil (Hide the Evil Eye!), we were finally able to speak with this Pathkeeper. As it seemed, this Pathkeeper, who had been born into her position, simply did not like the duties it placed upon her. The Pathkeeper in her village was supposed to take care of the death-rituals of the deceased, which in her tribe's case meant paying tribute to Jackal, their totem. If Jackal was not appeased, their deceased spirits would get trapped in the totem realm, as had occurred with this Pathkeeper.

We offered our aid to the Pathkeeper as she was afraid to go to the totem realm and appease Jackal, but she did not have the strength or the courage to take us through the storms that separate our realm of existence from the totems'. Instead, we dropped part way in between, into this land of absolute fear. We could not see each other, only hear each other. The only thing we could see, as we later figured out, was evidently our greatest fear. I stood in this black void that was the land's primary feature and could only see Cicero, lying on the ground at my feet, dying. I had no potions on me, and could not bring him to Teague to heal no matter how hard I tried. Every time I attempted to move, I simply seemed to stay in the same place. I could hear Bellisame, screaming about the cold and the ice, and yet I felt no temperature difference myself. Teague seemed quite calm in comparison with the rest of us, although it was not long before she started screaming as well because her tabard was taking on a grey appearance. At one point, I could feel another presence near me, and at that point, Cicero became a great deal worse all at once. He immediately started to decay and his skeletal structure became much more pronounced and his eyes started to glow. At that point, I just wanted to run. I could not bear to see another of my family look at me as one of the Order.

At that point, I felt a strength, a courage, that I had not felt before. Feeling this, I was able to look at Cicero and know that whatever was happening I would be able to help him and make it through. With that courage, I sent a similar warmth, the warmth of family, to Bellisame in attempts to warm her spirit from the ice. I can't particularly remember everyone else's dilemma, although I do remember Kitsune caught in a small cage and Hawk and Captain Morgan were underwater in a dismal river. Once we were able to send out feelings or attributes to our fellows, we were able to move towards each other as well. When we found Captain, he was unconscious, evidently having fought something and lost. Once we all moved towards each other, the presence, of which we began referring to as the Fear Beast, began circling us and attacking us. One by one, each of us went down. We could only block for so long, and we magics from the Path of Spirit did not work in this place. Finally, we managed to keep the Pathkeeper and Hawk conscious long enough to take us the rest of the way into the totem realm.

Now, we were able to get down to the business of sending the spirits on. Jackal told us that long ago he had saved his people when they were nearly wiped out by Asmat by giving part of his essence to them. And since then, when they die, their spirits travele to him instead of going where they were supposed to due to his spirit being a part of them. The only way they could move on is from another member of the living offering part of their spirit or essence to replace what he gave them. And so, many of us offered something of ourselves. It was the Pathkeeper's duty to offer part of her life essence to Jackal when someone died inorder to allow them to go on to the next realm. Bragh offered a part of his training. Teague related the story of how Asmat came to be the creature which had nearly destroyed Jackal's people. I performed a dance that Shinchi had told me about. Yaru sang a song. At that point, the Pathkeeper offered part of her spirit to take care of the remainder of the spirits, and they were all able to travel on to the Spirit realm.

We asked how we could keep the Pathkeeper from having to give up her life for these spirits to pass on and were told that another powerful creature would have to replace what Jackal had given to keep his people alive. Hawk suggested that maybe the quicksilver creature that resided in the Sorrowood would be willing to do this since he wished to die to be with his wife. But until that or some other way can be found to replace what Jackal has given his people, a Pathkeeper will be required to appease him by giving of her life essence and thereby shortening her own life.

Now we must try to find a way to keep the Pathkeepers from having to give their lives to Jackal so that the spirits of their dead may pass on to the next life.

To Scourge, Celcius and Squire Thrakka,

I wanted to express my thanks to you all for the information you gave me regarding the circumstances of what was happening in under the rule of the Kothites. Due to your kindness, my family and I have been able to find assistance through the Rangers.

I wanted to let you know that I am grateful to you and to let you know that as soon as I am trained in handling weapons I will be joining the ranks of the Rangers.

Scribed by Marcus (of the Rangers) for Kelly Johnston of Haven

From Gertrude and Earl, Haven. Baby Platypi for sale. Come and see, they are cute; but are eating us out of house and home! Mom also available, don't mention to Earl.

The Haven Herald is looking for storiesor ads for the next issue. If you would like to submit anything, please speak to Learhianna. (OOG: email to Ryle at ryle@eastex.net)