Black Thorn Resistance/Free North News Issue 3

This is a creative work set in the world of Elanthia, attributed to its original author(s). It does not necessarily represent the official lore of GemStone IV.

Title: The Free North News Issue #3

Author: Various

OOC Disclaimer: The following is about Empire, revolution, settler colonialism, and it’s many consequences. The opinions stated here are to be taken in character and should not be taken as out of character judgements. It is intended as in character rhetoric. Except that we should have a rolton cryptid. Hopefully this is enough disclaimers.

IC Disclaimer: The Black Thorns are more of a collective, and less of a organization with hierarchy and a roster. Please do not take the perspective of one member to apply to all of us.

Silence, blessed silence for one brief moment descend upon the streets of the Ring Roads. This quickly is exposed as an illusion as bustling feet and hawking cries once again fill the air, someone is passing something out.

Created in Midjourney Edited by player of Ceilia & Dendum

The Faerinn Well Dendum's Note, Notes from the Editor

Look to the North

One does not have to wonder what a world could be like without cancerous Turamzyrr eating away at the borders of Freedom.

One only has to look to the north and see Icemule gathering allies by reaching out and compromising, growing through cooperation, expanding by example and by consent.

One can look to the East and see Ta'vaalor aiding those around it without dictating terms, without imposing the will by blade and magic even though they certainly have a mighty army.

One looks to the south and sees none of this. There is no Honor to be found in the ways of the south. There is no compassion. They do not seek consent.

Whether it is forcing people to undergo treatment and medical things or forcing others to submit to their will by strength of arms, Turamzyrr and those who speak for it do not know what it is to seek consent.

The North has the courage to stand up against an empire that lacks all honor. The North stands for freedom while the south makes jokes out of the word. The North fights for a lands that respects the consent of those in it....Turamzyrr stands for Tyranny.

We can see the lack of measured voices from the south, thankfully we have other directions to look.....we can look forward.

Dendum
The Wind in the Willow
Arbiter of the Frontier
Seneschal
Archdruid of the Northern Woods
Czag Criga

Current Events

- The Empire celebrates the life of the young Lady Malwind, taken too soon. 
- A small group of humans cause some uproar in Zul until everyone realizes they are idiots!
- Icemule's seeks to Unify the North against rumored threats! Giants and Half-Krolvin and all others!
- Jovery sends more troops to the north, expansion turns into occupation!
- Greengair gnomes take refugee in far away Ta'vaalor, will the entire blood line be declared Burghal?!

Help Wanted/Classifieds

Ask Lithyia! Ever wondered how to navigate a crowded ball room? Need help chosing between two suitors? Ask the questions you are afraid to ask and get expert advice! Mail your questions to Lithyia! Confidentiality guaranteed!

Street Sweeper! Got a street full of fliers and wish to make sure no one hears any opinion but your own? Reach out to Dom's street cleaner we charge by the job so get a quote today!

Yardie's Nails and Ales Manicures done by the Blade of the Faendryl! Multiple Colors to choose from, it's not just nails it's an experience! Award winning Drinks Accompany the Experience! See Yardie for Details!

Looking for workers to test potions Do you need quick silvers and have questionable judgement? Come down to the Mage Guild! 20 silvers for each potion survived!

You got my heart Looking for the handsome man that was at Helga's last restday You stole me heart you beautiful cad! ...but I stole your coin purse!

North Bound! Looking for escort to Icemule Wanting to try out some of that rumored farm land but afraid of making the trip Ask down at the docks, can't afford no guild prices but will negotiate!

Join The Resistance! Loyalty to the Town and Each other! Do we surrender to an evil just because it is powerful? Or do we have Honor enough to stand up for the downtrodden? Join the Resistance! For Freedom! For the Free North!

Face Stabbings! FACE STABBINGS AT REASONABLE PRICES Want another hole in your pretty head? Want to improve the look of your frienemy? Buy them a face stabbing! Piercing jewelry available, buy it from me, face stab is FREE. Look for Anyauma in the East Tower.

Created by player of Aliashyrah uploaded with permission of Aliashyrah

ICEMULE OFFERS REFUGE- A message from Icemule's Town Council

To the Abandoned and the Abused,

We, The Council of Icemule Trace, unyielding Custodians of Freedom in the North, shall not remain silent as we watch your inherent Right to Life violated.

Like pawns flung recklessly across the board by a Liar's hand, you have been served up as nothing more than sacrifices to advance a game. A game in which you are seen to have no value beyond lifting higher a throne that has been built upon the nape of your stooped necks.

Those that were promised a new start were instead callously cast by the wayside, while others have found themselves driven from their homelands. Too many families have been crushed beneath the heel of this Tyranny of the Sun, which scorches those it scowls upon from on high. They have stranded you in a strange land and delegated your lives to the whimsy of chance and the prayer of charity.

Though downhearted, you need not accept this fate, for Hope rises in the North. There the brightest Star has just appeared on the horizon to herald the setting of the Sun's ways, and the ushering in of a new hour.

We invite you, the disenfranchised and disillusioned, the settler and refugee, those displaced from the forests and countryside, and all others who wish to draw breath as a Free Person, to reject your persecutors by turning your eyes to the North.

Come, and you shall find acceptance and succor within the great walls of Icemule Trace. Dignity shall be restored and a new life offered to those that seek this final Bastion of Freedom.

---'-,-(@

Lord Sorlu Jae'kym Nalfein
Town Councillor of Icemule Trace
On Behalf of the Council

Darkstone Baron - by Leafiara

Darkstone baron
Why don't you come to your senses?
Your being so dense is getting people killed now
You think you're a tough one
And you've got your own motivations
But your naive idealizations
Will end you somehow

Don't you see the giant spiders, boy
They'll eat you if they're able
And the Remnants' bows will steal your final breath
Now it seems to me returning south
Is an option on your table
But you only choose the ones that lead to death

Darkstone baron
No, your life won't be improving
Go get your caravans moving
To bring you all home
Duty, oh, duty
Well, that's the heartstring your Earl pulls
You're a sheep who's been thrown into the den of the wolves

How you nearly froze in the winter storms
And your wagons got burned by the mountain hordes
It's hard to tell the bad days from the worse
You're losing people left and right
Their corpses used to be a shocking sight at first

Darkstone baron
Why don't you come to your senses?
Before the krolvins' plan commences
Head back to your home
The blood keeps raining
But your old region's waiting
You'd best withdraw and cut your losses
(Withdraw and cut your losses)

Darkstone baron
Why don't you come to your senses?
Your being so dense is getting people killed now
You think you're a tough one
And you've got your own motivations
But all your idealizations
Will end you somehow

Don't you see the giant spiders, boy
They'll eat you if they're able
And the Remnants' bows will steal your final breath
Now it seems to me returning south
Is an option on your table
But you only choose the ones that lead to death

Darkstone baron
No, your life won't be improving
Go get your caravans moving
To bring you all home
Duty, oh, duty
Well, that's the heartstring your Earl pulls
You're a sheep who's been thrown to the den of the wolves

How you nearly froze in the winter storms
And your wagons got burned by the mountain hordes
It's hard to tell the bad days from the worse
You're losing people left and right
Their corpses used to be a shocking sight at first

Darkstone baron
Why don't you come to your senses?
Before the krolvins' plan commences
Head back to your home
The blood keeps raining
But your old region's waiting
You'd best withdraw and cut your losses
(Withdraw and cut your losses)
You'd best withdraw and cut your losses
Before it's too late

Humors by Dendum

Humors

Wendwillows are renowned amongst the ‘Gno as great healers. Our empaths have healed the wounds of the lands and the body over many many miles of the Great Woods and Rivers. Our Matriarchs do command awesome and terrifying ability to find the healing ways when they are overtaken with guidance.

We learn then that a body that is whole, and not corrupted, works as it should. We learn then that a body with a foreign object inside, be it shard of blade or dislodged fang, does what it can to reject this foreign object. The humors will become misaligned. The fever will spread. The body will reject at all cost this foreign object up to killing itself with fever if need be. Such is the will of the body to be uncorrupted it would rather die than be so invaded.

The empire of humans is a foreign object in the north. It has broken off a shard into the northern body and demanded by blade that it be accepted. It does this in ignorance, not knowing that it can never be so. For the body may never accept such corruption.

Those who continue to support it only prolong the fever. What will you murder next in your quest for Empire? What will you justify next? How many thousands of words will you speak to deny the simple truths every eye can see and ear can hear? How many children must die for Empire? How many of our own must we bury? It is likely for some there is no limit. For surely the empire has plenty of murderers who have no limit to the dark paths they will walk. But for the true citizens of the north the question is how long will you tolerate the chaos the human empire causes, has caused, and will continue to cause?

Do not let the Necromancer dictate what is right. Do not let Jovery’s most recent favored murderer dictate what is right. For neither of them are capable of knowing what is right they are so far removed from the light in their love of blood and silver. Do not tell me those who impose their will by the blade are right, because this is not truth whether they are Rook or Magistar, Malwind or Dabbings. Those who impose the will by the blade have a history of finding death in the north. So let it be now and always.

Empire has stabbed the north and then demanded the north accept it with meekness, but it is their hand on the bloody blade. We do not forget this fact. We do not forget who is the harbinger of death in this conversation, who is using force to subjugate others to their wills.

~Dendum

Ask Lithyia

Created by Midjourney uploaded with permission of player of Lithyia who is also the person who worked in the creation of the image.

Dear Lithy,
After recently delivering a crushing defeat to House Vaalor in what historians have begun to reference as "The Great Humiliation", I find myself desiring a new evil to thwart. While I surely find purpose in the current confederation of the North, I am one driven by a lust to combat oppressive powers. Many have called me a hero, but I am far too humble to agree. How might you suggest I satisfy this craving?
Anonymously Yours,
---'-,-(@

Accomplished Boreal Councillor

Dear Accomplished Boreal Councillor,

Congrats on your recent defeat of House Vaalor! I can understand why a momentous occasion such as that would leave you wanting for more!

Might I suggest turning your attention to just a touch south where there seems to be an imperial...complication. It is a rather "thorny" situation that could probably benefit from your assistance. From what I hear through the gossip-grapevine, I'm told western towers seem to be a popular place to meet like-minded individuals.

I wish you luck in contacting such folks and I hope you are able to satisfy your craving to combat oppressive powers!

Cheers!

Miss Lithy
PS You are allowed to revel in being called a hero.

Dear Lithy,
When asking a girl to a dance, is it appropriate to wear armor?
The girl is a human and I’m a giantkin, and I’m concerned that I may poke her with my spike.
Sincerely

Bald, Bold and Brassy

Well Bald, Bold & Brassy,

What a lovely person you are to show such concern for your partner!

When it comes to dancing, as dashing as armor is, it is best to leave it at home. Your dance partners comfort is priority and she will probably not be able to dance as closely as she would like with spike...errrr armor in the way.

Also, if you are unsure what to wear instead, I would go ahead and ask your girl. I would place a bet that she's quite the fashionista and would be ecstatic to help you choose just the right formal wear.

Oh and one final tip, if your partner should present you with a special piece of jewelry she had made just for you, a torc for instance, make sure you graciously accept it and wear it to the dance. Fashionistas love competing for Best Dressed Couple at these types of events.

Happy Dancing!

Miss Lithy

THAT

Created by player of Aliashyrah uploaded with permission of Aliashyrah

Leave them Laughing- By Grutak

Feeling over run? Wondering how to reclaim control of your destiny from greedy groping hands of Empires and Nations? Perhaps you just want to reclaim your home? Well, have you ever thought about an insurgency?

The nice thing about an insurgency is no one needs to know who you are. You can create cells of individuals and only have one connection to each cell. Imagine, you are sitting in your home in the Landing, having a tea party with 9 of your closest friends. Two of those friends are having tea parties as well in their homes with 9 different friends, so on and so forth. This is a great way to pass along information, such how many lumps of sugar are in a bag. The lumps of sugar being troops and the bag being a wagon. Easy peasy puddin pleasy.

Ultimately, the goal of any insurgency is not to come to a head to head confrontation with the invading Empire or Nation. It’s to make the occupation of your home too costly for them to stay or politically upsetting to continue occupation. After all, who wants to get public black eyes for being greedy and graspy. Who wants to continue to bleed troops that have their wagons of troopers suddenly and mysteriously disappear.

Lastly, and I can’t reiterate this enough. You can make a game of it. Leave heads on pikes for the Imperial forces or City-Nations to find. Paint smiles on their faces. Give them a weird hair do. Anything to bring a smile to those ghastly and grisly remains. After all, you want to leave them laughing.

(Editors Note: Err...not sure we can recommend pikes and heads? Perhaps it is like Faendryl painting and has layers of meaning! Pike Heads at own risk -D)

Open Letter to Samfelt - by Queatus

Samfelt,

I write to you because you seem a genuine man. Perhaps I am wrong, but I believe what you truly want is a fresh start for yourself and your people. I know that feeling, and I respect the effort you are putting towards it.

You may know I wear the Thorn. You should also know, that I, and the rest of the Thorns, do not wish to see harm come to your people. You are innocent in all this. You have been brought here by the Empire and forced to fend for yourselves. They have provided neither protection, nor adequate supplies. They have brought you to a place where many consider you unwelcome, and allowed you to face too much suffering.

Why? Why not send an army with you? Why not bring labor to help build fortifications? Did you know the settlers were offered shelter in Vornavis at the same time the Reivers declared war on the settlement? Why did you face attack when you could have dwelt in safety while the Imperial troops marched to your defense?

It is because the Empire sees you and your people as tools. You are useful to them right where you are. You provide a reason for the people of the Landing to fight in the name in the Empire. You provide an excuse for the Empire to kill all those in their way. You are here for a fresh start, but they are here for the land, and the magical secrets within its borders.

Elidal may care for your people on some level, but his mission is to establish a barony, and the best way you can serve his ends is to remain in the settlement and be vulnerable. To bleed when you are attacked.

I have seen that the settlers look up to you. I have referred to them as ‘your’ people, and I mean that. They are more yours than Elidal’s. You should lead them. You have lived a life amongst the common people. You’ve done bounty work. You’ve seen low parts of society and have an understanding of how things could be better. What has he done, other than be born with the right blood?

I write to you with an offer of help. We will relocate your people, as many as are willing. There are many places you could settle that would offer a much better opportunity for a new start than the settlement where you now dwell.

Any that are inclined, we can help you move into the Landing. Renounce your Imperial citizenship and sign the book in moot hall. We will provide silvers for housing and supplies. There are Thorns from all walks of life. We can find your people jobs, help them get to their feet and start a life outside the rule of the Empire.

There is also a new nation forming in the North. There is unlimited opportunity. Already there have been discussions about providing low interest loans for opening businesses and obtaining housing. Diverse groups of people have already agreed to join. They will live in democracy, following men who have been chosen to govern by the people. In the North, there will be no nobility beyond that which dwells in the hearts of the free.

You can stay in the settlement, live under Imperial rule, suffer attacks by those who see you as invaders, and bleed so Elidal can have his barony. Alternatively, you can lead your people to a place where they can find a true fresh start, free of noble rule, and safe amongst the people of the Landing, or in the heart of a budding new nation.

Seek out the Thorns if you wish to discuss further how we may assist you in liberating those of your people who would seek true freedom.

~Queatus

Imperial Fashion- by the famous Monty

generated by midjourney created by players of Morikun and Dendum joint project uploaded with permission of both

generated by midjourney created as a joint project on the Blackthorn Discord uploaded with permission of all creators. Creatores include the player of Dendum, Morikun, Lithyia, Draelor.

generated by midjourney created as a joint project on the Blackthorn Discord uploaded with permission of all creators. Creatores include the player of Dendum, Morikun, Lithyia, Draelor.

Fashion Corner: Hot Thorny Threads for a Sultry Summer!!! Imperial Court Guest Author: Monty Selehdona

As the days grow longer, our court sessions get wilder, and the heat turns it up a notch, people always ask me, “Monty baby, what’s the inside scoop on the spiciest fashions sweeping the Imperial Court in Tamzyrr?

Well, lend me an ear and allow me to grace you with my knowledge to keep your 5123 look sharp. Let us start with the bad.

Ladies, I’m not sure what in the four moons you think you’re doing out there in the court with those hideous warg stoles in the middle of late spring. What were the words of wisdom that one northern queen imparted to us that one time? Oh yes, LET IT GO!!! There was a moment when trappers first brought those pelts down from the northlands where perhaps I’d let the novelty slide, but child, last I checked, winter is over, and you look like one of Leya’s amazons working in a butcher’s freezer. This isn’t 5122, and if you’re stealing your looks from mangy wolves, the court exit is RIGHT THERE.

Gentlemen, tunics make you look like a page boy or squire. Has anyone ever introduced you to a finely tailored dress shirt and some supple fitted pants? If the knights of our realm are still wearing tunics as a fashion choice, it’s no wonder the court whispers and gossip continually swirl around failures to subdue the chaos in the north. Un-squire yourselves and dress like real men, then maybe those peasants and boorish poors around the Barony of Darkstone will take you a bit more seriously.

Guys and gals, that brief flash-in-the-pan fad the Nations’ elves brought with them for donning frumpy aquilon jabots? No, just stop it. Free your neck once again and show some skin. This fashion needs to stay as dead as Lady Javilerre. Loosen a few buttons while you’re at it, this summer we want to see those stunning plunging necklines, not hide them in piles upon piles of doilies like the librarian in the Hall of Mages.

But Monty you say, so far, you’ve just told me what NOT to wear. What court-insider styles can you impart me with that will have heads turning on the streets like all those fashionable dukes, duchesses, baronesses, and barons lounging about the court all day drinking wine in their finery while they wonder where Weimaraner’s Landing even is?

One word: Rebellion!

The hottest fashions this fall are all about attitude, and who has more attitude than those roguish rapscallions up north and all their thorny fashion choices?

While we of course could NEVER support their actual causes—and to be honest, who even knows what their silly demands even are—those roguish reprobates CERTAINLY command a keen sense of style. A black thorn pin on your cloak here or a thorn-carved gem in your hat there exudes a simple yet debonair charm that excites with mystery and adventure. Add a bit of those rakish scoundrels’ fire to your ensemble and turn heads when everyone is wondering what YOU’RE up to tonight as you walk past them with your veiled plans and secret engagements.

How tantalizing and exciting!

For an extra bit of fun, hide your Thorns to wear when things get a bit more close-and-personal. Always a bit of fun to let your significant other or others know that you’re playing “I’m a bad rebel from Winesummer’s Land looking to overthrow the Empire” tonight! We have a lot of fun with that in the court, let me tell you, so many fun places to hide your allegiances to this fashion craze sweeping the Imperials halls!

Bonus tip: Could fall be the season of reiver cloaks? We’re hoping for an influx of these quite soon, and tartan looks GREAT in autumn! Bundle up in style as things cool off. The people may cease to be, but their fashions will live on forever!

Until next time, keep revolutionizing those looks!

-Monty