History Section: The Butterfly Wars, Part 2
After last issue, I trust that you are all up to speed on the history
of the Butterfly Wars of 218, so I'd like to update you on what our
intelligence reports indicate to be the most dangerous butterfly
massing of all time.
Our agents have been observing the butterflies carefully, despite Commander
Vellis's solemn promise that they would never pose a threat to the world at
large again, and although we missed to first Butterfly/Humgii contact, we
have discovered the existence of a recently drafted treaty that will see
these two menaces working side by side, to destroy that which we have all
worked so hard to create.
Most disturbing of all is the fact that Commander Vellis is in *league*
with the villianous butterflies, and rather than destroying them, has
merely been relocating them, and building up a butterfly army the likes
of which has not been seen for over three decades. He has forged pacts
with the Humgiis, at the cost of his very soul, and now serves as the
bridge between the Butterfly and Humgii peoples. As long as he lives,
there will be no peace, only destruction.
So it was that, faced with these very tidings I just recounted, we
sent the call out for forces capable of holding off the latest combined
Butterfly and Humgii onslaught, knowing full well that the horror of
war had come again to the next, younger, generation. The tidings we
received were not promising, however, as the Giant Chickens of Thera,
created from mighty magic and free range eggs, had been driven to the
doors of extinction by a cruel desire for omlettes. The mighty Basilisks,
as well, were nowhere to be found, having migrated on to another continent,
where they could roam free as only Basilisks can, devouring everything but
each other. We had few allies left to aid us in these troubled times,
and it seemed almost certain that the butterflies would, at long last
conquer all of Sapience, as they have long dreamed of doing. And so,
the call went out for heroes, with brave hearts and noble souls, and
the stage was set for the epic adventures of "The Humgii Alliance" to
begin.
Unfortunately, until Mistral's printing press is installed and repaired,
I won't be able to print the Humgii Alliance out, but those of you who
just can't wait to get a copy, please, message Mistral to reserve one
for you.

Adventure Section: The last voyage of the BPS "Hibernation"
Now, Cap'n Derek, scurviest sea-dog around, and his elite crew composed
entirely of invisible bears were a force to reckoned with, as they sailed
the 5.4379 seas, bringing with them terror, plunder, and of course, the
dreaded "Invisible Bear Wedgie" a means of torture capable of breaking
even the hardest of men.
This is the story of his final voyage, and the end of the road for his
faithful ship, the Hibernation.
The story begins like most of Derek's stories, with Mr. Bear manning, or
rather bearing, the crows' nest, while he counted his riches, and
generally enjoyed all the booty he'd collected.
So it was that the Hibernation pulled in at the local Pirate port, which
is very similar to a normal port, except for the fact that its a rather
well-kept secret, and of course, inhabited entirely by pirates.
Derek, being the masterful negotiator that he was, chose to go on shore
and sell, trade, or barter his booty away. Unfortunately for Derek,
the port was currently undergoing a huge recession, and he was unable
to get even a reasonable price for it. He was, however, able to exchange
it for a ship-load of Wood-worms, Liirup's favourite delicacy.
Thus, the Hibernation set out for Hashan, to deliver its valuable cargo,
and the Wood-worms made themselves right at home, having a feast to
honour the brave pirates. However, somehow, the Hibernation sprung a
leak. Derek and his crew were forced to pull over, in a "No Docking"
zone, so that Derek could go aboard and co-erce a friendly woodworker
to assist them in the repairs of the ship. However, by the time Derek
dragged an unconcious Furze back to the ship, he was too late.....
it had already been taken to the Repo Docks, where all repossessed
ships end up. Derek was served with a fine of 100,000 gold, else he'd
never see his beloved ship or crew again.
Now, aside from being a scurvy seadog, our hero enjoyed living the
high life, and often walked up to the roulette wheel with bulging
pockets, and away from it with nothing. Besides that, being a pirate
Captain, while fun, was also a minimum wage job. He had no access to
that kind of money, and so, was forced to concoct a daring and dangerous
rescue plan.
Will he fail? Will he succeed? Will he ever be able to sell his booty
again? Find out in the next Issue of "The Achaean Times", on a public
newsboard near you.

Well, that ends this issue of the Achaean Times, make sure to grab the
next issue, and of course, "Shop at Ye Olde Armourie in Hashan, and
Halo's shop of wares in Ashtan, in order to keep me, your favourite
journalist, fed, clothed, and generally too busy forging to write"

Penned by my hand on the 8th of Chronos, in the year 247 AF.