Hydra Newsletter 001 - 08/23/01
From FiranMUX
Hydran Newsletter
August 23, 2001
Olympic fever holds the people of Anarinuell - from the most important nobleman through to the ordinary man on the street - and even those stoic citizens of the Hydra clan can't help but be somewhat enthusiastic about the games. The grimmest faces might even crack the occasional smile for the clan is faring a lot better than the unclean polytheists whom they have to share their city with would have you believe.
Aside from the olympics the Hydras have a lot to fuel the furnaces of conversation with these days. The gladiator from the clan, the enormous one who is sponsored by Lady Osiana was seen at the practice battle that was held before the olympics in preparation for the summer campaign. Hyperius Histaru, for that is his name, was seen providing a good account of himself against the guards. Although this would not be newsworthy were Hyperius not a minor celebrity for his arena exploits, the rumour is spreading because after the battle he was seen talking with Prince Vahlgellan! Speculation is that he even went to the opening gambit with the prince and his cronies afterwards! And we all know what goes on at the gambit. Gambling. Which is a serious sin and highly illegal. Such an example by a public figure is disgraceful.
Another piece of gossip regarding the legality of certain actions regards the marriage of the now rather infamous Wylma Histaru, one of the many pieces of scum that have coagulated and now float about in the old city. Her marriage to another resident of that crumbling abode - Farik - is being challenged as illegal by Fathers Rasmus and Javier of the True Temple of Zutiv. They have judged that as it was not performed by a priest of the True Temple it is not valid in the eyes of the one true God, the almighty Zutiv. Her life was also apparently saved by a guard. Which begs the question, why are those who are paid to protect honest and upstanding citizens of Anarinuell bothering with the likes of her?
The furore regarding the scandalous decision of Lord Pavan N'Gato to choose as his prize for winning one of the Spring pentathalons a state wedding for himself and one Mes Lasanna Mondarik of the Eagle clan is beginning to take a second place to talk of the olympics in Hydran circles. But once the olympics has ended and a date for the wedding is announced, expect the outraged discussions to begin anew. After all, the young drunkards ill informed choice will mean that one of the most powerful Hydran families - possibly one of the oldest families in existance today will have future generations tainted by middle class members of the Eagle clan! Citizens of the clan do not want another Quadeem, and some are saying that his promotion to Commander in the Hydran army is just a ticket for disaster.
Mes Udeena, the branded adulteress forced to live in shame in the old city is looking a little wider around the middle recently. Is she pregnant? Or has she been binging on sinful sweet treats? Most cruel gossips say that she is pregnant, and they snicker about the fact that her husband Mer Hammar has moved back in with her after the disgrace she brought to his name. Some of the more unkind say that Hammar isn't the father, and all sorts of names circulate as to who the real father of the unborn child is.
On a less vindictive note, Mer Phaethon Zuriaki the big carpenter has returned to Anarinuell after a rather lengthy absence. What was he doing while he was away? Where did he go? Not many people seem to know the answer to this, but he is a respectable member of the little community that lives in the Hydra district and no one sees fit to question his motives for taking a trip.
This time around, the olympic games have been going far better for the Clan of the Hydra. People remember last year as an embarrassing slightly into anonymity on the list of placings as athlete after athlete failed to turn up for the events they were scheduled to participate in. This year things have been going far differently. Although many doubts have been cast about whether or not Mes Jacquetta is fit to represent the olympic team, in the unexplained absence of our more skilled athletes it seems that she will have to do. Even though the shame of a woman - much less a woman from the old city - competing for the clan is too much for some citizens to bear.
Despite her hideous lack of decorum, Mes Jacquetta has taken a pair of silver medals for the clan and kept us only three points behind the Cockatrice clan as of now. She came second in the race, and was one of the three athletes who won silver in the team triathalon - Lord Gadiste N'Gato and his wayward son, Lord Pavan being the other two. The gambling gladiator and recent drinking companion of one of the princes, Mer Hyperius Histaru performed spectacularly in the arm wrestling event, taking the clan's first gold medal of the games. With his strength he should be a one to watch when the gladiators start running their shows again - it seems Lady Osiana has chosen quite a fighter. Lord Pavan has also been showing his undeserved ability as an athlete, taking bronze by only half a foot in the long jump but flopping to an unspectacular fifth in the pentathalon. With a few events still left, the Hydras have to pull together and make a big effort for the final stretch if they are going to overtake that clan of light haired heretics, the Cockatrice, and beat off the attentions of the Eagle and the Chimera who are close behind. The Hydran relay race team, which was a shame to behold being as it were made up of Mes Jacquetta, Mes Wylma and Lord Gadiste's eldest son, Lord Rodellos. They finished fifth in the relay race.
The team battle royale is one event which people are looking forward to, considering how good an account of themselves the Hydrans gave of themselves in the battle royale at the end of the team triathalon. Lord Gadiste and Lord Pavan showed their prowess at arms - assisted, regrettably by Mes Jacquetta - and won that event. The less religiously enlightened sections of the crowd jeered at their masterful display, which was possibly something to do with the anti-polytheist war cries which were heard coming from the two N'Gatos mouths.
And with that, the olympics carries on - the excitement reaching as feverish a pitch as anything ever does amongst the grim faced and reserved Hydras, who pray to Zutiv for success on the field for their athletes.
