My old friends, the McYokels, decided to have a party to celebrate Gygr Night ... the coming of summer. So the day before summer it was sunny and the first day of summer rained. Typical!!! The afternoon got off to a poor start with the departure of Rory MacTwatem and Queen Ceredwyn. Apparently Dougie McFinn was responsible for Rory's sudden bout of Skinful Disease. A rare condition among Celts, but all too common south of the border. Very soon, the camp had visitors ... Picts, Goblins, Lepers, Immortal beings etc .... just your run of the mill stuff. The Picts wanted Caledonia. The Goblins wanted Caledonia. The Lepers wanted alms and the Immortal Beings (Malice/Avarice) wanted the death of all Bears. Anyone attacking an invited guest would be cursed, or so the legend went. Some of us had dreams the night before. They must be contagious as a number of us had very similar dreams.

I dreamt of a great Hall full of Caledonian Heroes. I was barred from entering and was shocked to see Dai McTaff (My Deputy) walk out laughing and order me thrown in a pit of mutated bodies. Those who dreamt such a dream were all accused by Avarice of being 'marked'. Nice chap .. always wanted to give people money. Shame the Ceredwyn wasn't there, or he would have run out of dosh very quickly! A group of Celts tracking down Picts in the woods found an ancient staff atopped by Skull. The Picts continued to attack the camp apparently to get it back. Once this was discovered, I took the staff, and not wanting to give it to the Picts without knowing what it did, planted it in the middle of a field and with healers on standby, invoked it. I had no intention of forcing this task on anyone else. I wouldn't expect my kinsmen to lay down their lives, if I’m not prepared to. The rest is a bit of a blur.

Apparently I passed out, and when I was brought around I went mad, attacking everyone, screaming, grabbed the staff and ran off with it. Before I could get away, I was struck down, healed, went mad, was struck down again, healed, cast sleep upon and put to bed. Fear ye not .. your hero is fine and the day was saved by the next best man available ... Yargon McYokel. Seeing the effect the staff had on me, he realised what he had to do. Supported by his clan, he held onto the staff while facing his Fears, Hate, Prejudices and Greed. He cast out Malice and co. and all Caledonia has him to thank for its very existence. I'm sure he will be held in even greater esteem by the faction from now on.

This is probably how the Mctaffs feel after going to try to help their once former friend out of some trouble. The party left the site of the McYokel Gygr night event to help lord Owen after one of their clan ran in to town then died in more then unusual circumstances. The Party travelled north in the direction of the now deceased clansman had arrived from. The march led us into the heart of a goblin-infested wood. They offered little resistance to our fine Caledonian steel (My sword is sharp, your head is soft).

We moved on to see if we could track their movements. Wee shite McTaff proved most useful in this particular vocation and in next to no time we were following the goblin and orc scum on our trip to help lord Owen.

The ground under foot was extremely bad and we were in constant danger of ending up down one of the ravines that lay to either side of our path. After several more unsuccessful attempts by the goblin hordes to stop our advance we came across two of the Bears ancestors. These chaps who`s names I cannot remember one McTaff and one McYokel who seemed to be locked in some kind of argument about something. Unfortunately when I asked who they were and what they were going on about I was over come by fear and decided it was better to make a tactical withdrawal then risk their wrath. (No it did not involve me running screaming like a mad man into the woods as if my life depended upon it). If anyone knows what this was about then please tell me.

After another attack by some less than successful goblins one of which gave my kilt a new, if smelly design in his own blood if not the mud on the forest floor. All the McTaffs fought with such gusto and zeal I was most impressed. The one member of their Clan that did surprise me was Tess, a very clever K9 as she can heal but I am going to get her a flea collar.

We then finally stumbled across a blind old man who seemed to talk in riddles who wanted to try to extort money from us. This seemed to work as chunder who was leading our merry band on this quest gave him a copper and asked if we could pass. We did and finally after we ran across some very annoying goblins & a bunch of orcs who looked half starved. So after some help from myself, thanks to the bears second fleet survival course, we fed them and continued on to find some of lord Owens men looking to arrest us all for the McTaffs stealing their own flock from this lord Owen gezzer. After some fast talking on behalf of Chunder, we managed to get free from these egit`s and we made haste back to the festivities. I must make the observation that it all looked like a set up on behalf of lord Owen in order to either try to kill or discredit the McTaffs but the typical Bears swordsmanship shone through and we prevailed. So Lord Owen if you are reading this whatever you were trying to do it didn`t work and it only cost you more money so give up.

If you need my services again McTaff`s please do not hesitate to ask

I arrived at the scout conclave with an unconscious Thorin in tow, unfortunately she does not like boats and she hates Ritual circles...... besides I had to get her there somehow!!!!

(Teran’s special brew for getting places I bet - Ed).

After setting up and meeting everyone again that turned up last year we all went to a great old tree to call upon Herne. This was done and he graced us with his presence. He agreed to allow us to run a competition in the surrounding woods and the winners would get his antlers. After he left, we all returned to the camp for food, drink and a good singsong around the fire.

The next day, as per usual, the Caledonia weather came over our way and we got wet again!!!! Luckily it was just showers..... ( I bet some people had a good wash in it though - Ed). Even with the bad weather, Sordelan proceeded training on tracking to all those wishing to learn. After the training was finished we spilt up into groups and adventured into the wood. We found many tracks including Goblins, Orcs, Deer and even some Ents....... While mapping the tracks and surrounding areas we kept an eye open for Orcs, which the foresters where warning us about. However, we had some wee few scuffles with these Orcs and even a Ghoul.... Now he was a tough one, he ranked somewhere above an Incantor Unliving dismissal of 9 points. We got him in the end though.... Silver effected him just as well!

After we had discovered all we could find of tracks we presented a report and our findings to Sordelan and his helpers. Our group did not finish last in the competition amazingly (Teran’s scouting skills must be improving - Ed) and the winning group was allowed to be the hunted in the scouts hunt. We all went on to view Karik showing us some traps, this was quite interesting, but I did not see much as I am a little short. Also it was beginning to get dark, which means ya cannae see very far !!!

Sometime later the hunted were sent off to hide in the woods for the big hunt, unfortunately someone got hold of the signal horn just as it was getting started and everyone came back to camp, including the hunted. Therefore the Hunt was left for another day and we all gathered around the fire for warmth.

The final day was used in presentations and speeches, however an interesting thing came up as Herne was presenting the prize to the winner. Sordelan was asked by Herne not to allow the Gargoyle Faction to sign the Gathering Treaty and to do anything in his power to prevent this. Sordelan agreed and Herne left. Soon after Sordelan then asked for any scouts with ideas on how to combat the Gargoyles threat to make themselves known to the Guild at their earliest convenience.

All that was left was to pack and transport again an unconscious Thorin back to Rockholme.... or the surrounding area.

In 1097 at the Open Grand Council the Grand Master Mage ‘Floris Brand’ did some thing which no one believed possible, he handed over the Tombs of magic to the "Renegade" Mage giving two tombs each to balance them out. As a chaotic creature I was fully aware of the consequences of his actions concerning Joshua McTay aka The Violet Mage. However with the passing of the recent months my concern has been drawn towards his counterpart Cyngelis, and I decided to take a step back and look about, what is said below is what I have come to decide is the truth, you may disagree whole heartedly but all I ask is that you look at the facts in front of you and make your own decision.

Firstly, this has nothing to do with the Incantors Guild and they don’t know this document is even in existence, so it is guaranteed to upset a lot of people. So if the Editor decides to cut it an original full version is available, but now I get to the point.

Before Cyngelis was removed from the Mage’s guild, he was renowned for his split personality and mood swings. However he always claimed that his main source of power previously was based in the art of Necromancy (I have it on good account that he has been seen commanding very powerful unliving).

At the gathering Mar the faceless made an honorary appearance to steal Thomas Finn’s body, at that time no one knew what for.

At the OGC there was a speech by the Gasharim, they informed everybody there that they were using Necromancers to raise an army from the dead goblins that the bears had fought the previous year. (By doing this they dropped the bears in the Sh?t with the Vipers, who they had promised the bodies to). To do this everybody believed that it was the work of the Drow, but if you think about it Mar was using Thomas on that night to barter for so called peace with the unliving.

For the art of necromancy to happen it must eventually be funneled through the Tomb of Fire (the one which contains the pattern of Satun), now we know that Mar is after the job of lord of the unliving, but to what extent is he willing to go. Just imagine that for one moment, Cyngelis has bargained with Mar, what for you ask well.

On receiving the tomb of fire Cyngelis gained control of all unliving on this plain and the power to create them as well. It would be easy for him to tend more towards the Tomb of Fire than water for that is where he draws his power from.

If he backs Mar’s approach for peace and protects his Ambassador so he can secure a foothold in the living realms, he gains the upper hand. Even though McTay is power hungry, he has been caught with his kilt down. He must try to keep the balance between Chaos and law so he must go against the Gasharim, who our forcing law upon all, so he must confront their armies of unliving with the magic he has. (Mage bolts don’t have much affected to someone who’s all ready dead!).

However, Cyngelis can control the Gasharim by controlling their unliving, which will confront McTay. Whilst Mar knowing that Cyngelis holds the one thing that could destroy all of them, (the tomb of Water), it’s safe to build an army in this realm to attack, the support which Chaos would give on there own ground. Knowing that the power is safe, in one who will raise an army from the dead of battle & so giving them a endless supply of warriors, until McTay dies and Cyngelis gains the other two Tombs. This inturn provides ultimate power to back Mar in his fight for Lord of the Unliving and reap revenge on his foe.

Once the Gasharim have destroyed all (with the help of the unliving from skold) Cyngelis and Mar would rule both plains and life as we know it will have ended. What can we do?

Signed: Daine O’Rourke of Glen Shea.

Caledonia.

LOVE ... A temporary impediment to one's ability to backstab a member of the opposite sex !

DRINK TO THE UNSEELIE SIDE ! ... One of my best spells ! DRINK TO THE SEELIE SIDE !

NAME – Ash (a.k.a. Ash "Fae Bastard" McYokel) ... True Name withheld for thaumaturgical reasons.

PERSONAL DETAILS - Allegedly the 3-year-old son of Betty McYokel (faction Master Healer) and the late Nobby McYokel (former faction Warchieftan). Rumoured to actually be a Morrigan-worshipping changeling of the unseelie fae.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES – Red Hair (Well sometimes – Ed) & 6FT Tall at 3yrs.

OCCUPATION - Bard, mage, ritualist, assassin, thief, conman, destroyer, usurper (isn’t that Conan? - Ed) and amateur megalomaniac.

FAVOURITE COLOUR - Red ... No! Black ... No! White ... er ... have you ever been a colour mage?

BACKGROUND - Exiled from Arcadia for a crime he almost certainly DID commit, Ash was imprisoned in a maximum-security dimension. He promptly escaped into the Caledoian underground where he survives as a faerie of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else is unscrupulous enough to help ... and if you can stay off the menu ... maybe you can hire the A-Team!

EDUCATION - Royal Caledonian Secure Institution for Nursery Education, apprentice to Lysandra (ex-Mst. Black), adept to Cyngelis (ex-Mst. White).

PREFERED WEAPONS - Suprise ... Fear ... Fanatical loyalty to the Morrigan!

MOST EMBARASSING MOMENTS - Being healed by the Lions' Command Group during the battle of Gathering 1097. Being mistaken for Lord Ash of the Dragons. Being beaten up by Breaca (a healer) at the Unicorns' World Trade Fair 1098.

LEAST ENDEARING QUALITIES – Ripping up peace treaties. Vampirism. Killing people who disagree with him.

(Well Application more like – Ed)

Dear Mephisto McSnaga,

My Name is Captain Shamus, One of the Captain’s of the illustrious second fleet. I would like to apply for the job of Ambassador to any of the factions as I can drink heavily, I can remember what was said to me the night before, as long as it doesn’t involve "I Love You, Yes I will marry you & Be the father of our children" If any women in the Bear’s camp wish to apply for the position Chiefess confident to me please apply via the McYokel Bull. So I think I would be at least adequate, if not perfect, cause I can get drunk with the best of ‘em and I would enjoy it too.

Ta anyway, Cheers Shamus

Ps. I also have a ship on loan from the Queenies, it’s part of the Second Fleet.

So the moots are nearly upon us and the time of the Gathering fast approaches, what are we going to do this year Denzil?

Same thing we do every year Razi, Fight everyone and drink at the Bar.

No, I mean what have you got planned for the clan, who are you going to declare war on? Who will be the ritualist for the clan, now that Yargon has too many duties elsewhere? What of the Storm Bulls? And what about Rowan leaving the clan?

Oh that, well I want to talk to the whole clan about the position of ritualist and find out who really wants the job, I mean Mystic Mat wants to get back to all his research and we could do with some one younger. But the Storm Bulls are in for a cracking year with Cormac at the head I’m sure, but I believe that Mystic Mat ahs got a ritual planned for them. And on Rowan well I don’t like to talk about her but I will chop her into little bits cause I think she’s a traitor to the clan and to the Queens.

And who are we going to war with?

Everyone.

Oh good. Thank you Denzil

So Yargon, what’s all this gossip about a Staff and three spirits that I’ve been hearing down the tavern?"

"Well Razzi, if you’d bothered to be anywhere but the tavern for the last few months you might have heard about Malice, Avarice and Prejudice, the dark spirits that embodied some of the worst emotions felt by the people of Caledonia. They were planning on destroying the Celts and giving the Picts Caledonia."

" What so they weren’t like whiskey, gin and rum?"

" NO! you stupid little half baked journalist. They were bad nasty types that had to be controlled."

" Sorry, my mistake. But what of the Staff?"

" You mean the Staff of the Picts? You can’t have it, I know you’ve want it and my fine kilt well their mine and you cannot have them"

"Hey Yargon, I’m only asking, someone said that you used the staff to draw them into you and stop their influence over the Picts."

"Oh so your talking about me behind my back are you? Accusing me of being a Pict sympathiser are you? Well let me tell you this I used the Staff to prevent them from hurting anymore celts and I don’t care about those filthy Picts and their barbaric ways. The Staff helped to control the three spirits and now I am their custodian. Now go away you horrid little man."

POLITICS ... The unspoken agreement by both sides of a dispute that they'll pretend not to be trying to poison each other's drinks! DRINK TO THE UNSEELIE SIDE! ... A very longwinded way of telling the other bugger you don't give a shit what he thinks ! DRINK THE SEELIE SIDE !

About 40 to 50 picts have been located in the area South West of Cudbright. Most of that number have now been "accounted for" however the militia have yet to complete the clear up. Of those prisoners I "spoke to", several were able to confirm the following ...

- A year ago the Picts were been concentrated to the North East of the Great Wood (McTwatem lands? ). A fair number remain in that region.

- Approximately 9 months ago Malice approached their incantors, offering vengeance on the celts for some imgined slight. Although he appeared very weak some picts accepted the offerhavig heard none better.

- About 6 months ago Prejudice appeared to join Malice. He brought documents allegedly signed by Craggle and Queen Morrigan, ordering the area cleared of picts by force. Support for Malice grew and he in turn became stronger.

- 3 months ago Avarice arrived. He offered the picts victory over the celts and the capture of those territories in Caledonia they falsely claim as pictish homelands. The Trinity's following increased rapidly and Malice started to become dangerously violent; wounding people and screaming about the "complete destruction of the celtic people".

- At the Unicorn's World Trade Fair and the Convocation of Guilds, Malice and Avarice attempted to acquire weapons and troops. The picts appear to believe that Malice also made some declaration regarding their territorial claim and an offer to resolve the matter without bloodshed. Having been present at both events and speaking to others who were present I find no evidence that this is true.

- In the month proceeding Gygr Night Avarice informed the picts that they would be supported by foreign troops and the power of Trinity; assuring them victory over the celts. Malice's power grew even greater ever than before and he began to kill indiscriminately.

- On the day following Gygr Night the power of the Trinity appears to have started to wane as the picts realised that they were about to die and Avarice's promises of aid were untrue. Somehow their power was related directly to support of their mortal followers ( don't ask me ; it's probably an incantor thing ).

REPORT ENDS

Murpach "McNutter" Mac Riall

Last ever member of the Mac Riall Clan to venture into this realm. A fighter, a friend and, his personal favoroute, a drinker. Died defending his friends and his drink to the last, slain by 30 picts after charging the battle line as a distraction for Craggie to get his army into gear.

Whilst being a Tarantula, he was always a Bear at heart, and always wished that he could return to be with the Celts that he alays saw as his family. He left behind a Son and a Brother and many, many friend’s accross the Heartlands. All who knew him is very much welcome to attend his wake to be held on the Friday at the Gathering of nations 1098 in conjunction with the Tarantulas faction.

'He rests now in the summerlands, re-united with his ancestors and his Goddess, Stella.'

McNutter Jr, Murpachs Son.

DEATH... Danu's way of telling you it's time to possess another body !

DRINK TO THE UNSEELIE SIDE! ... Well I was starting to get bored anyway! DRINK TO THE SEELIE SIDE!

The notoriously pissed clann priest of the O’Donnells is missing.

Last seen wandering about the darkwood,

(Stupid fool – Ed)

If anyone sees our drunken waylander

Please return him to the safe custody of

Shamus O’Donnell or Fin O’Leary.

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