Volume 1, Issue 1 - Marpenoth 1375

[Velaryon]

TMI Publishes First Issue!
Story by Morris Melville

Greetings, readers! You hold in your hands the very first issue of the Tethyrian Monthly Inquirer, Tethyr's premier and soon-to-be-famous monthly newspaper. Hold on to your copy, because someday this will be a collector's item!

TMI is the brainchild of Editor-in-Chief and Lead Reporter Mr. Morris Melville. In fact, Mr. Melville is at present the sole employee of the Inquirer, although we expect to grow in size and scope as the paper establishes its reader base. However, from the very first issue, TMI promises nothing but the most accurate and up-to-date news from Tethyr as well as all over Faerun. Our mission is to become every Tethyrian's premier source of local and international news, as well as economics, fashion, politics, and yes, even sports!

Readers are encouraged to tell their friends and family, share this issue, and discuss the following articles in every festhall and tavern in every major city and small town in Tethyr. And don't forget to subscribe!

[Velaryon]

Meet the Staff: Mr. Morris Melville
Story by Morris Melville

In this special featured article, TMI readers can get to know the people who work hard every day to deliver the finest news publication in all of Tethyr. This month's subject is Mr. Morris Melville, the Editor-in-Chief and Lead Reporter. As of Issue #1, Mr. Melville is in fact the sole employee of the paper, although he expects TMI to grow in size along with its readership.

Mr. Melville was born in 1354 right here in Darromar, known at the time as Ithmong. However, the Melville family emigrated when Morris was a small child, to escape the rapacious taxation and legalized bullying of the Gallowglass regime. As conditions were much the same in all of Tethyr's major cities at the time, to say nothing of the countryside, Mr. and Mrs. Melville elected to leave the country entirely, and raised their only son in the city of Athkatla, in the nation of Amn, our great neighbor to the north.

Morris developed a fascination with news at a young age, and pursued a career in journalism as soon as he was old enough to read and write. However, since his family lacked the business connections that are so important in Amn, he was not able to find employment with any news agency there. Instead, in 1370 he founded the Athkatla Regional Gazette, which ran for only four months before closing its doors due to lack of funds. It seems the people of Athkatla were not ready for a newspaper as forward-thinking and revolutionary as ARG.

Despite seeing his hard-earned money disappear and his labor of love go unappreciated by the people of Amn, Mr. Melville was not to be deterred. Through the kind and generous donations of family members and friends, Mr. Melville was able to rent an office in Zazesspur on Midsummer of this year, and thus the Tethyrian Monthly Inquirer was born. Since that time, he has worked tirelessly to bring the most up-to-date and accurate news to the people of Tethyr, who deserve nothing less than to know everything of import that happens in this great nation.

Mr. Melville encourages everyone to read TMI and to share it with all their family, friends, and business acquaintances. He would also like to remind readers that subscriptions are available for the low monthly price of 3 gold pieces.

[Velaryon]

Myratma Under Martial Law?
Story by Morris Melville

TMI has learned that King Haedrak III Rhindaun has traveled to the city of Myratma, where he appears to have placed the city under martial law following some unrest there in Eleint of this year. Details remain sketchy, and TMI has not yet procured an interview with His Royal Majesty, but we promise to continue covering the situation as it develops.

Although many details yet remain unknown regarding the events that led to this drastic policy, the Inquirer was able to establish certain facts as true. First, on the morning of the 12th of Eleint (the 28th anniversary of the death of King Haedrak's father, King Alemander IV), an company of unidentified soldiers marched through the streets of Myratma, headed toward the locally famous restaurant, the Efreeteum. Sources who wish to remain anonymous, and whose credibility is not presently known, have claimed that some illusion magic was at play, masking the appearance of these mysterious soldiers. Whatever their identity, these soldiers surrounded the Efreeteum, whereupon they were joined later by the Myratma city guard, who established a perimeter keeping civilians away. Some hours afterward, King Haedrak emerged from the Efreeteum, looking tired and possibly injured, at the head of a long train of soldiers, constables, prisoners, and several other unidentified individuals.

Eyewitness accounts claim that among the prisoners were men and women of Calishite origin, as well as a few indivuals of an unknown nationality. One unique-looking prisoner was described as a pale man with a black topknot of hair, whose arms and bare torso were covered in numerous scars. Another eyewitness claims to have seen several drow among the prisoners, although this report has not yet been substantiated.

Following these events, another incident was reported the following day at the ruins of the Jhannivvar estate in the northeastern part of the city. Although smaller in scale than the events of the previous day, witnesses have claimed to hear the sounds of fighting coming from the ruins, and several individuals emerging from the estate some time later, bearing the signs of battle. It is believed that these events are related to the disturbance at the Efreeteum the previous day.

Whatever the events that occurred in these two locations, it is certain that Tethyr's newest nobleman, Count Thallatos, was involved in both incidents. Presumably his new title of nobility is connected to whatever service he performed for the country on these days. TMI promises to investigate further.

[Velaryon]

Castle Tethyr Sold to Tethyr's New Count
Story by Morris Melville

Castle Tethyr, former seat of the monarchy, stands abandoned no longer. TMI has learned that on the 12th of Eleint, the anniversary of the tragic Ten Black Days of Eleint that plunged our great nation into decades of conflict, Castle Tethyr has been sold to Count Thallatos, the newest nobleman to be raised in Tethyr, for an unknown sum.

Castle Tethyr, which looms over the crossing of Tethyr's two main trade routes, has stood abandoned since 1347 DR, when the keep was burned and both King Alemander IV and his son Alemander V were killed. Long believed to be haunted, travelers have largely kept away from the ruined castle, save for adventurers hoping to plunder the castle's ruins and find valuables. Not all who entered the ruins came out again, which added to the castle's dark and sinister reputation.

Since Queen Zaranda Star Rhindaun moved the capital to Darromar and had her palace built there, Castle Tethyr's political importance has declined. However, its historical significance remains great, and its location remains highly strategic. Now that the castle is apparently to be inhabited gain, its fortunes may be on the rise.

Little is known of Count Thallatos, who appears to be an adventurer of native Tethyrian ancestry. He is reputed to be a member of the Silver Shield Mercenary Guild, the organization that has done much to coordinate the various adventurers of Tethyr and improved the lot of Tethyrians as a whole. A Mr. Lumbergh of the Myratma outpost confirmed the Count's status as a member, and also intimated that Thallatos was formerly employed at the guild outpost itself for a brief time. Lumbergh declined any further comment regarding the new Count, other than to confirm his status as a guild member.

More details are sure to emerge on this landmark sale, and on the new Count. TMI will continue to cover this story in subsequent issues.

[Velaryon]

Advertisement: The Efreeteum

The Efreeteum, Myratma's most upscale, famous restaurant, is pleased to announce our Grand Re-Opening! Following the unfortunate events of our dance contest several months ago, the restaurant has undergone remodeling and enhanced security measures, and we are now proud to announce that our dining experience, already unparalleled anywhere in Tethyr, is even better!

Among the many amenities the Efreeteum boasts are heated floors, fine dining and drink, and brand new costumes for the staff! We also have the latest in Calishite dining innovations, as well as the finest rothé steak anywhere on the western coast of Faerun.

Bring in this advertisement for 5% off of your entire dining experience!*

*Editor's Note: The Efreeteum is presently closed for business until further notice (see our article "Myratma Under Martial Law?" for more information). However, as this advertisement was already bought and paid for, an executive decision was made to run it anyway.

[Velaryon]

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[Velaryon]

Nude Elf Wins Local Boulder-Tossing Competition, Dethrones Champion
Story by Morris Melville

Some might say that pleasant diversions are few and far between in Tethyr these days, but one activity that always gets the locals excited in the small villages of County Uluran, which encompasses the lands surrounding the eastern half of the Starspire Mountains. The annual County Uluran boulder-tossing contest took place last month on the 15th of Eleint, and for the first time in four years, a new contestant won the event.

This year's winner was a most unusual fellow - a wild elf who goes by the name Faelar Moondagger. Not only is it the first time in more than sixty years that an elf has won the contest (according to count Silvanus Moondrop, who presents the medal of victory to the winner), but this year also marked the first time in living memory that a contestant competed totally in the nude.

"I just feel more free when I take off my kilt," said Moondagger, who seemed reluctant to put the garment back on once the competition was over. "Clothes are just so distracting!" he added, as this reporter tried to avert his eyes. The winner was finally persuaded to put his clothes back on when the event judges told him that a previously unknown bylaw in the event's rulebook prohibited anyone from accepting the prize medal while naked. This reporter found no such bylaw in the rulebook, but certainly the judge can be forgiven this little fib, for the comfort of all those present.

For his part, Count Moondrop seemed pleased to award the prize to a fellow elf. For the last four years, the competition was dominated by a large fellow appropriately known as Eglath Rockthrower. Mr. Rockthrower towered over all the competition, standing a good three feet taller than Mr. Moondagger at the very least. It's no wonder this huge individual (who must have some giant blood in his veins, surely) was able to win the competition several years in a row. Despite his fearsome countenance, Rockthrower seemed quite impressed by his defeat, though he vowed to win back the medal next year.

[Velaryon]

Burglars Arrested at Food Storehouse in Darromar
Story by Morris Melville

On the 21st of Eleint approximately two hours after midnight, four individuals were caught trying to break into a storehouse in Darromar. A spokesman for Lord-Mayor Grannox's office declined to release the names of the individuals, but said that the four humans face a possible sentence of Theft Against the Crown, which carries a maximum sentence of mutilation, plus a fine of up to 2,000 gp plus the cost of any damages that may have been caused during their break-in. However, this is not the first such incident in recent months, and court records show that judges have been understanding and lenient in most cases individuals who may simply be looking to feed their families. Harsh sentences have thus far been imposed only on repeat offenders or affluent citizens whom the judges believed would resell their ill-gotten gains at a massive profit.

This reporter, while certainly no expert on the mind of a thief, wonders whether light sentences don't encourage more crimes of this sort. If one knows that the risk of severe punishment is small, might a man desperate to feed his family choose to break into a food silo and steal rather than earn a day's wage at honest labor to purchase food? No follower of the good gods could deny someone's right to feed their family, but at the same time chaos cannot be allowed to reign when times get tough. Has not Tethyr seen enough of that in recent years?

[Velaryon]

Gossip Corner: Royal Mischief?
Story by Morris Melville

In this column, which TMI expects to be a regular monthly feature, we will relax this publication's strict standards of accurate and verified truths to bring you the latest in gossip regarding Tethyr's rich and famous. And what better way to kick this feature off than with a story about Tethyr's first family?

It seems the royal children, triplets Sybille, Coram, and Cyriana (age 5), have been running amok in the royal palace and giving their mother, Her Royal Highness Queen Zaranda, no end of difficulty. A member of the palace staff who asked not to be identified told TMI that the children's tutor, a Ms. Tabitha Manchune, has been on leave for several weeks. Because the Queen has been busy managing the myriad problems caused by drought and food shortages this season, she has apparently had no time to choose a replacement. With no one to administer their lessons during the day, the children have allegedly become restless and disruptive, especially since their father King Haedrak III traveled to Myratma to deal with the difficulties there. This reporter wonders whether the Queen doesn't miss the royal tutor even more than her husband right now!

[Velaryon]

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[Velaryon]

International News: Thayan Invasion Repelled by Rashemen
Story by Morris Melville

Merchant ships from the Unpproachable East have carried word that a Thayan invasion of Rashemen was repelled several months ago, with the help of forces from the Chessentan city-state of Akanax, led by the city's king Hippartes.

Rashemen and Akanax have been allies for the past three years due to a common bond forged through the worship of a new deity that arose in Akanax several years ago.

Well-informed readers may know that several new religions have arisen at the same time in the Chessenta region within the last few years. The best known in western Faerun is no doubt the church of Ragma, sometimes stylized as The Ragma. Since The Ragma is an elemental deity, many if not most of his worshipers are druids (as was Ragma himself when he was mortal). These druids have worked diligently to spread word of The Ragma to other druid circles in Faerun. Even in Tethyr we have a few Ragmites, as they are sometimes known.

However, it was not Ragma that brought Rashemen and Akanax together, but another deity that ascended at the same time, a warrior deity named Jandar. Jandar is not well-known in these parts, because his church seems content to fix its attentions on the east, at least for the time being. What little word of this deity that reaches this far west is brought by sailors and perhaps the occasional adventurer.

[Velaryon]

International News: Earthquake Strikes Waterdeep
Story by Morris Melville

In the morning of the 30th of Eleint, the city of Waterdeep was struck by a massive earthquake. Authoritative reports on the level of damage are as yet unavailable, and no word is available on the number of casualties. However, word of mouth from merchant sailors putting in at Zazesspur is that the City of Splendors suffered little actual damage.

The cause of the earthquake is unknown, but sailors from Waterdeep report hearing rumors that the earthquake may have been magical in nature.

Waterdeep is one of Tethyr's most important trading partners, and the single largest market for Tethyrian crafted goods. The Lords of Waterdeep also organized a caravan that delivered much-needed food supplies to Darromar in mid-Eleasis, which considerably eased the suffering of locals without doubt saved hundreds if not thousands of lives.

TMI wishes the people of Waterdeep a safe and speedy recovery from this incident, and hopes that trade is minimally affected.