Trist'oth Tribune
Part of the Regional Newspapers
Area: Trist'oth
Distribution: Trist'oth Tavern
Ownership: Government owned and controlled.
Language: Drow.
OOC editor: Hmail News.
Issues Archive
2016
March 2016
The First House
The First House will from now on conduct its business through First Daughter Gevurah D’Artes. Patron Tiphareth is far too busy and powerful to waste his time entertaining those begging for an audience with House D’Artes. The First Daughter will dutifully suffer beggars in his stead.
The First House’s bounty on the elf Emrith Kohl’s head is still in place. [An illustration of Emrith is included. He looks effeminate and weak.]
Drow Council
Spies on the surface report that a foul creature has been summoned by necromantic elves to help revive the ancient Order of the Shade. The Order of the Shade belongs to the history of the drow. The Council will not tolerate any surfacers trying to usurp our power, especially not elves. A reward awaits those who bring any information about the summoning, the creature, the Order of the Shade itself, or its fabled artifacts of power. (ooc: This is part of the Agitation arc, and will be the genesis of a future drow-centric arc. Contact Josleen/Gevurah to get involved. Look up Crown of the Shade to read about the artifacts.)
Defector Laezila D’l’sel D’issan continues to live on the surface and fornicate with elves. The bounty of 35,000 gold on Matron Laezila’s head is still in place. [Although she needs no illustration, she has been illustrated without her mask, facial scars exaggerated for effect. She looks soft-hearted, frail, and burnt to a crisp in a nod to Trist’oth’s recent history.]
City Occurrences
The drow rugby tournament is underway once again! See the innkeeper at Trist’oth Tavern to enter the betting pool. (ooc: The betting pool is real! The tournament is knock-out, March Madness style. Bet in game gold, play ooc. All players can participate. Check out Drow Rugby - March Madness on the wiki to participate.)
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 11. Five were killed in an illusionists brawl in Trist’oth Tavern and an additional two committed suicide shortly after viewing the mind-flaying illusions conjured by the brawlers. The remaining four obituaries read “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.”
[OOC note: Be sure to read Trist’oth Tavern’s message board. A note there will sum up the rumors and general atmosphere of the city, which is absent from this paper due to its bias and ownership.]
2015
October 2015
The First House
If you know of a rebel who participated in the revolt or is sympathetic to the misguided “cause”, House D’Artes will pay 200 gold for a name, 500 gold for a corpse.
Once again First Daughter Gevurah D’Artes has shown the city the might of the First House by squashing the rebellion and defeating the would-be usurper Laezila.
The First House’s bounty on the elf Emrith Kohl’s head is still in place, but has been bumped to 35,000 gold. [An illustration of Emrith is included. He looks effeminate and weak.]
Drow Council
Defector Laezila D’l’sel D’issan threatened the drow way of life and customs. She failed, as any who imitate her example are doomed to fail. Spies report she escaped death with the aid of elves and was last seen in Frostmaw fornicating with elves and blood mixing. The bounty of 35,000 gold on Matron Laezila’s head is still in place. [Although she needs no illustration, she has been illustrated without her mask, facial scars exaggerated for effect. She looks soft-hearted and weak.]
The loss of the fort on the surface is the will of Vakmatharas and punishment for the slave rebellion. The caste system pleases him and those who upset it are to blame for the suffering of the drow race at large, and no better than the elves who forced our kind underground millennia ago.
City Occurrences
The rebellion has damaged city infrastructure. Common laborers are expected to rebuild without pay as atonement for upsetting Vakmatharas. Idle hands will be whipped, as is His will.
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: unknown. It is unclear how many perished in the rebellion, though the number has reached the hundreds. Thirty-two obituaries end with the common line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.” The number is much higher than usual, suggesting that in the wake of the three-day rebellion, rebel sympathizers tried to flee the city.
September 2015
The First House
House D’l’sel D’issan bears full blame for the temporary setback on the surface. Matron Laezila withdrew her forces and entrusted drow secrets to the traitor Nymh despite High Priestess Gevurah’s prophetic warning. Once again, House D’Artes had to clean up after the failings and errors of others. First Daughter Gevurah captured the traitor Nymh in battle and executed him in Trist’oth Arena. Matron Laezila would do well to take heed of the First House’s power over those who cross it.
The First House has put a bounty of 25,000 gold on the elf Emrith Kohl’s head. [An illustration of Emrith is included. He looks effeminate and weak.]
Drow Council
Matron Laezila D’l’Sel D’issan has defected from Trist’oth and now resides with the enemy in Frostmaw. The Drow Council hopes Patron Lanlan can steer the Second House in a direction more suitable to its longevity.
The Drow Council has placed a bounty of 35,000 gold on Matron Laezila’s head. [Although she needs no illustration, she has been illustrated without her mask, facial scars extra pronounced. She looks soft-hearted and weak.]
City Occurrences
An additional consequence of Matron Laezila’s betrayal is the destruction of part of the fort. Laborers wanted, will be paid double for its reconstruction. D’Artes soldiers will go door to door taking compulsory donations to supply the army.
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 457. It’s been three bloody consecutive months for the drow. 425 died in battle, unsuccessfully defending the drow military camp from the wood elf-Frostmaw army raid. 29 were killed defending the fort. The final three obituaries end with the common line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.”
May 2015
The First House
House D’Artes’s High Priestess Gevurah valiantly chased off the cave dragon Gheneroc who failed in collapsing the main supply tunnel that supports the drow army on the surface. Her actions have once again proven the unquestionable power and greatness of House D’Artes. She also, through the blessing and will of Vakmatharas, fortified the tunnel through divine enchantments so that should Gheneroc return, he will be frustrated in his effort to collapse it. [ooc: Poor Eyris doesn’t even get an honorable mention. Drow gonna drow.]
House D’Artes hired sword Rauva also defended the drow military’s slaves and captured an elven leader into slavery. Thank Vakmatharas for the First House and its wisdom!
Drow Council
Matron Laezila D’l’Sel D’issan has publicly corroborated House D’Artes version of events that occurred at Trist’oth Arena. The Drow Council is satisfied that First Daughter Gevurah D’Artes has no fault in the arena attack. The matter is closed. [ooc: Related RP is called Drow Political Theater.]
The drow coalition army on the surface successfully defended itself from an ephebic attack by the wood elves. The military camp remains in the strong fist of the drow, and the ground runs red with the blood of the elves. A celebration will be held this Stone Day at Trist’oth Arena. Slaves will reenact the glorious exploits of the drow on the surface, especially those of the inimitable Matron Laezila D’l’Sel D’issan, who in her unparalleled might razed the forest, and High Priestess Gevurah D’Artes, whose battle prowess needs no further introduction. [ooc: Celebration will take place Sunday, May 24th. Related rp is called Battle: Elf Counter Invasion of the Sage Drow.]
City Occurrences
Slave auction day ended in a brawl after an avian was discovered in this illustrious dark city. Although the intruder was quickly grounded and killed, the brawl ensued for hours. The headlining purchase of the auction was that of a half breed named Nymh, rumored to be the last bard of darksong. He was purchased by House D’Artes at a generous price. [ooc: The avian is Tylania. She did not die. Gevurah also did not pay a generous price for Nymh. Drow lie. Related RP is called Technicolor Slave House.]
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 82. It’s been two bloody consecutive months for the drow. 68 died in battle, defending the drow military camp from the wood elf raid (many of them fell during Gheneroc’s near-collapse of the tunnel and Ynhaldei and Beldur’s successful tumbling of the watchtower, neither of which are mentioned in the paper explicitly). 9 perished in the city-wide brawl that began at slave auction house. 3 were killed on the surface during skirmishes with wood elves. The final two obituaries end with the common line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.”
[OOC note: Be sure to read Trist’oth Tavern’s message board. A note there will sum up the rumors and general atmosphere of the city, which is absent from this paper due to its bias and ownership.]
April 2015
The First House
The First House denies that its High Priestess Gevurah D’Artes staged an attack at the arena during a rugby match between House Orbb Quar'Valsharess and House Stavret. Any caught spreading this slander will be executed. Accusations that House D’Artes and House D’Jiv’undus conspired together to kill Matron Obleven of House Orbb Quar’Valsharess insult the First House, and the First House repays insults in lashings, or worse. Furthermore, the citizens of Trist’oth are assured [through vague language which suggests this final point, rather than states it outright] that were House D’Artes planning such an attack the lot of you would be the last to hear about it, and they certainly would never need to employ the aid of a lower house.
[The Drow Council, a staple in the Trist’oth Tribune, is notably absent. No doubt this is due to infighting, as any good drow with his ear to the ground in Trist’oth would know that there are tensions between the houses that have left the Council dysfunctional. Although it is an open secret that House D’Artes basically owns this paper, and could have put in a Council section to keep up appearances, they chose not too, suggesting that the First House is having a fit of rage.]
City Occurrences
The attack on the arena was staged by enemies of House D’Artes firstly, and the drow race secondly. Anyone who believes the farce that Gevurah carried out the attack is playing into the enemy’s hands.
In other news, House D’Artes has already begun to make good on its threats. A few commoners have been publicly executed for speaking ill of the First Daughter and House D’Artes.
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 758. The number would have topped 800 had slaves been counted in the Arena attack. 742 are chalked up to an attack in the arena that is an embarrassment to House Orbb Quar'Valsharess, who despite the presence of its Matron could not fend off a simple attack. Eleven drow have been killed by House D’Artes as it defends itself against accusations; 5 of these executions were public, and 6 conducted in secret. Another four drow soldiers have died due to the tensions between the other noble Houses. The final obituary ends with the common line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.”
[OOC note: Be sure to read Trist’oth Tavern’s message board. A note there will sum up the rumors and general atmosphere of the city, which is absent from this paper due to its bias and ownership. Also, if you are somehow out of this loop, get back in this loop by reading the attack here: To Murder a Matron.] [All stories related to Surface Tension.]
2014
October 2014
The First House
A female, orcish beast was captured by Trist’oth’s guard and questioned by the First Daughter of House D’Artes Gevurah, High Priestess of Vakmatharas. Lady Gevurah’s expert interrogation at Fort Trist’oth revealed that the orc was an assassin sent by Sylvan elf authorities whose names were revealed during the interrogation, but are being withheld from the paper for security purposes. The assassin was sent to undermine the power of Trist’oth both above and below ground. Under the power of High Priestess Gevurah, the orc was then delivered directly up to Vakmatharas in a beam of dark light, as witnessed by soldiers who were awed by the First Daughter’s tremendous power.
Drow Council
The Drow Council has issued yet another statement regarding yet another massacre in the Kelay-Sage area. This time a drow scouting party has been slain in the Northern Sage Forest, and it is unknown by whose hand. The Council suspects the assailant may be the same who killed drow on Kelay Way a couple of months ago. This still unidentified perpetrator is a winged, dragon-like beast with drow features. All those slain were commoners of no import.
In response to rumors that an albino feline is terrorizing Kelay with the head of a drow, the Drow Council would like to assure you that the murdered drow in question was not a citizen of Trist’oth, and likely of an inferior breed of drow – such as those who live on the surface and fraternize with elves and over pale beasts. (ooc: These three articles are part of the arc called Surface Tension on the wiki. To join in the rp, contact Gevurah and Skylei.)
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 9, 3 of which occurred in the latest Sage Forest massacre. One House Stavret soldier suggested that the Drow Council is unable to control the latest spate of violence on the surface and was choked to death by the sudden swelling of his own tongue. The other five obituaries end with the common line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.”
July 2014
Drow Council
The Drow Council issued a statement pertaining to the massacre on Kelay Way, in which seven drow commoners of no import perished. The Drow Council will ensure that the surface never waiver in knowing the might of Trist’oth and the dark elf race. Anyone with any information on the dragon that attacked the squadron should come forward. The Drow Council would also like to know more about the alleged priest and warrior (a female and male human respectively).
The Drow Council is also still soliciting information on the creature that attacked House D’Artes High Priestess Gevurah and Fifth Patron Kuzial Stavret. The creature made a lethal appearance at Vailkrin’s gala and is said to be a resident there. Any additional information shall be rewarded based on utility. (ooc: The attack is uploaded on the wiki under the title ‘Yoink!’)
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 13, 7 of which occurred on Kelay Way. One priestess of The Spider Goddess denounced Vakmatharas within the pristine walls of the newly minted Temple of Endless Death and spontaneously combusted. The other five deaths’ obituaries end with the common line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.”
June 2014
Drow Council
The Drow Council has lifted the ban on travel outside Trist’oth. The Burrower has turned its appetite elsewhere, namely the undead and Vailkrin. Any information pertaining to this change in behavior should be reported to the Drow Council. (ooc: Contact Tiphareth, Tenebrae, or Gevurah for rp specifics if you would like to get involved. The rp that has to do with this story is uploaded on the wiki under the title ‘Bait.’)
City Occurrences
A powerful creature (whose power pales in comparison to First Patron Tiphareth’s unrivaled mastery of the arcane) was bested by House D’Artes High Priestess Gevurah and Fifth Patron Kuzial Stavret. The battle took place near Trist’oth’s main entrance. This same creature was said to have visited House D’Artes, but left frustrated after meeting with the fearsome Patron Tiphareth. The creature is rumored to be a former general of Arrecation. Any drow with information which could substantiate or disprove this rumor is commanded to report to the Drow Council, lest they wish to face charges of conspiring against the drow race. (ooc: All conspirators and general baddies are encouraged to contact Tiphareth, Xersom, Kuzial, or Gevurah to get involved with this rp. The rp relevant to this story is uploaded on the wiki under the title ‘Yoink!’)
A story from last month’s paper has been reproduced for this issue as well. It hails the newly built temple and seminary for the God of Death, Vakmatharas. The official name of the temple is the "Temple of the Endless Death" and the school is called "Magthere whol onhir d'Aphyon." All former priestesses of the Spider Goddess are invited to abandon their misguided ways, and begin their transformation into priestesses of Vakmatharas. Those who have graduated from the Magthere d'Malarin (the physical combat academy) are invited to share in Vakmatharas's devotion and pursue the noble (and powerful) path of becoming a Death Knight.
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 8. A significant drop from last month’s tally of 33, largely thanks to the departure of The Burrower. One death occurred in the stands of the Trist’oth Arena when a group of common drow beat another common drow to death for buying cotton candy at the snack bar. It has long been known that cotton candy is only sold as bait for the weak-willed. No one has ever bought cotton candy and lived to tell the tale. The other ten deaths’ obituaries end with the common line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.”
May 2014
Drow Council
A lower house of no name worth repeating dared to challenge the power of the 11th house of Trist’oth. First House D’Artes states that the attacking house was a worshipper of The Spider Goddess and unwisely dared to challenge the power of a Vakmatharas-worshipping House.
Due to the continuing threat of The Burrower, the Council has maintained its ban on travel outside Trist’oth without prior clearance from either The Drow Council or The First House. The burrower is now known to be undead, tentacled, and extremely lethal. The Drow Council continues to offer a reward for anyone with any information about The Burrower. (ooc: Contact Tiphareth or Tenebrae for rp specifics if you would like to get involved.)
City Occurrences
The Temple of the Spider Queen has been masterfully renovated and reopened as a Temple and Seminary for the God of Death, Vakmatharas. The official name of the temple is the "Temple of the Endless Death" and the school is called "Magthere whol onhir d'Aphyon." All former priestesses of the Spider Goddess are invited to abandon their misguided ways, and begin their transformation into priestesses of Vakmatharas. Those who have graduated from the Magthere d'Malarin (the physical combat academy) are invited to share in Vakmatharas's devotion and pursue the noble (and powerful) path of becoming a Death Knight.
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 33. The count is extraordinarily high by most months’ standards, and 29 of the deaths were directly caused by The Burrower. 15 of those deaths occurred during a single attack on a trade caravan returning from Craughmoyle. The other four deaths’ obituaries end with the common line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.” Though it is common knowledge that at least 3 out of those 4 deaths were perfectly executed, clandestine murders within Trist’oth’s borders itself.
April 2014
The First House
The First House, in its infinite wisdom, has deemed it fit and right to reveal two new hairstyles to distinguish priests and priestesses of Vakmatharas from those of lesser gods (read: any other god). Any drow who is not a priest of Vakmatharas and who dares don either hairstyle will be scalped. All glory to the First House.
Drow Council
In a rare move, the Drow Council has placed even further restrictions on travel outside Trist’oth in order to better protect residents from what is now being called The Burrower. No one is allowed to exit Trist’oth without prior clearance from either The Drow Council or The First House. The burrower is now known to be undead, tentacled, and extremely lethal. The Drow Council continues to offer a reward for anyone with any information about The Burrower. (ooc: Contact Tiphareth or Tenebrae for rp specifics if you would like to get involved.)
City Occurrences
Construction at the Spider Queen’s Temple (to create a museum about the Spider Queen to preserve that part of drow history, of course) has slowed as the city focuses on responding to damages sustained by The Burrower. So far most damage has been sustained in outlaying boroughs, largely from cavern tremors caused by the beast.
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 16. The count is high by most months’ standards, and 11 of the deaths were directly caused by The Burrower. The other five deaths’ obituaries end with the common line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.” Though given the existence of The Burrower it is difficult to know whether or not these deaths were unrelated to The Burrower.
March 2014
The First House
House slaves representing the various drow families met last week in the Annual [drow] Rugby Tournament in the Trist’oth Arena for the glory and entertainment of their masters. The knock-out style tournament [which in drow rugby is quite literal, awarding points to the team which manages to knock-out an opponent on the other team] resulted in yet another first place victory for House D’Artes, the undefeated champion since the rise of Keter. House Orbb Quar'Valsharess came in second for the first time this year after a stunning 567 to 0 loss against House D’Artes. House Orbb Quar'Valsharess just barely clung to its second place title after a narrow 45 to 44 victory over House D’Jiv’undus. As usual, the LVP [least valuable player, or the slave who was knocked out the most throughout the tournament] was drawn and quartered during the closing ceremony. This year’s LVP was a slave from House D’I’Sel D’issan, which also happens the be the house that came in last place this year to the disgrace of the family.
Drow Council
In response to reports of strange, unidentified beastial noises, the Drow Council has issued a Trist’oth-wide high-alert patrol. Rumors suggest the beast is undead. Any drow with information regarding this unknown terror, come forward to the Drow Council. Those with valuable information about the beast can expect compensation from the Drow Council. Final reward price to be set as more information becomes available. (ooc: Contact Tiphareth or Tenebrae for rp specifics if you would like to get involved.)
City Occurrences
In response to questions about construction noises emanating from the Spider Queen Temple, the Trist’oth Tribune reports that according to the glorious First House, there are currently renovations underway with the intention to preserve drow history.
There is a follow-up article that describes a small, dilapidated neighborhood composed entirely of matriarchal houses. The neighborhood has been cut off from city streets and water supply infrastructure, and according to this article, that is a good thing for this matriarchal ghetto is weak. The article suggests/condescends that the houses would be best suited by a patriarch and a conversion to the worship of Vakmatharas.
Obituaries
Every month the Tribune tallies non-slave drow fatalities. This month’s death count: 9. Most obituaries end with the line “S/He ventured into the Underdark alone and was never seen again.” There is one notable exception. One young drow, the third son in a lower matriarchal house, was publicly executed in the center of the City for slandering House D’Artes. This less-than-elf scum was overheard in the Trist’oth Tavern saying that the rugby tournament is rigged so that House D’Artes always wins. No one died of old age or illness.