Albion Inkwell – issue 2
Published late Spring 1126
Librarian’s note: A transcript is added below for indexing purposes but owing to the formatting issues this brings, the original source material is best viewed directly.
DURST TRADING COMPANY LEADERSHIP FOUND DEAD — CHAIRMAN
SOUGHT BY SHERIFFS
By Marcellus Quay, Financial & Commerce Reporter, Counting Coin & Consequence
The markets of Albion prefer certainty. Predictable routes, reliable partners, and directors who remain inconveniently alive. It is
therefore difficult to ignore the recent developments surrounding the Durst Trading Company, where all six current directors
along with one former have been found dead over the winter months.
Such a loss of leadership is not merely tragic; it is destabilising. A company of Durst’s standing does not simply misplace its entire
board without consequence. Contracts stall, confidence wavers, and quieter questions begin to circulate among those who track
more than just coin.
Officials have confirmed that investigations are underway, with findings expected shortly. Whether these deaths are connected,
coincidental, or part of a more deliberate correction to the balance sheet remains, at present, unclear.
Of particular note is the absence of Alexander Durst, Chairman of the company, who has thus far been unavailable for comment.
The Sheriff’s Office has expressed a clear interest in speaking with him as a matter of urgency.
A reward of 10 gold has been offered for information regarding his whereabouts.
For those watching the flow of trade, the implications are immediate. The Durst Trading Company has been a fixture of Albion’s
commercial landscape. With its leadership removed in such a decisive fashion, the question is no longer simply what happened —
but who, if anyone, is now steering what remains.
Those with information are urged to speak with a Sheriff at the earliest opportunity.
In matters of trade, silence is rarely neutral.
The Hollow Ledger
Editor’s Summary
To those once again holding these ink-stained pages — welcome back. Whether you sought us out, stumbled upon us, or acquired this
issue through means best left unexamined, you now carry the second telling of The Albion Inkwell.
Much has changed since last we wrote.
Where once there were whispers, there are now declarations. Where uncertainty lingered, lines have been drawn — some in ink, others in
something far less easily washed away. Albion has spoken, and in doing so, revealed not only its convictions, but its fractures.
Within these pages you will find more than stories. You will find consequence.
The Unliving have been cast out not in rumour, but in certainty. The Trinity itself shows signs of strain. The Mists stir, settle, and yet
leave behind more questions than answers. Trade falters, leaders vanish, and even truth itself — as we have learned — sometimes requires
correction.
We print it all. Not because it is comfortable, but because it is necessary.
As ever, we remain in service to Albion — not to its Crown, nor its courts, but to its people. To those who stand the line, question it, or
find themselves caught somewhere between.
And so, we ask again:
Speak to our writers. Challenge what you read. Send us your truths — inked, spoken, or quietly passed between trusted hands. Every
voice matters. Some simply require better listening.
Until next issue — ink well, stay curious, and remember:
Strength Through Unity. Albion Prevails.
— P. Wilston Hollow
Editor-in-Quill, The Albion Inkwell
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Wordsearch
An Apology
Ser Robert
Needs You!
Odds, Ends
& Enquiries
The Hollow
Ledger
Whispers from
the Hearth
AF 1126 Spring
Issue 2
Unliving Unwelcome! Albion Draws
The Line, Trinity Fractures!
By Dotty Quimble, Ink-Stained Halfling of Life (and Firm Opinions)
Albion has spoken! This time, it has done so with renewed clarity. In recent days, rumours had begun to circulate among “the
people” that the long-held stance against the Unliving might be softening. Whispers spoke of tolerance, of flexibility, of a
willingness to reconsider what had once been firm. Those whispers have now been firmly put to rest.
As confirmed by Weathereye, the Pendragon Throne has not merely maintained its position it has reasserted it. The Unliving
are not welcome within Albion. The Court stands with life, without exception or reinterpretation. While there is no immediate
concern surrounding rites, bindings, or the properties that underpin such beings, the principle itself has been drawn sharply back
into focus.
This reaffirmation does not come from nowhere.
It is widely understood that under Queen Cara’s reign, standards were allowed to slip. What may once have been firm became
uncertain, and in that uncertainty, consequences followed. Her untimely demise now casts a longer shadow than perhaps first
realised, not merely as tragedy, but as warning. Albion, it seems, has chosen not to forget.
Nor is this the first time such lessons have been learned at cost. Albion’s history carries its own cautions, and the name Gabriel
Bathory is not easily forgotten. Where standards falter, those who hold authority have a habit of paying the price a pattern that
now looms large over present decisions.
(Continued Page 2)
1Where Unity Falters
Not all voices were aligned in this return to certainty. Within the Court, there were those who argued for a softer stance,
suggesting that understanding or control might offer an alternative to outright rejection. Whether driven by pragmatism or
principle, those voices did not carry the day. The Crown has made its decision, and it has done so with unmistakable intent.
Yet such decisions rarely settle cleanly.
In the aftermath, tensions within the Trinity have begun to show. Reports suggest that the Hunter, displeased with the direction
taken, departed in visible frustration a storming exit that has left more than a few questions hanging in the air.
With that departure comes uncertainty. Does this leave a place within the Trinity now open, and if so, who might step forward
to fill it? Names already circulate in quiet speculation… Mordred? Mannanan? Caligar? each carrying their own… Baggage,
and each with the potential to shape what comes next.
For now, the message is clear. Albion stands firmly with the living, and whatever ambiguity once lingered has been stripped
away.
But as ever, it is not the line itself that will define the future — it is who chooses to stand beside it, and who does not.
Strength Through Unity. Albion Prevails.
Letters Received, Ink Restrained
By Dotty Quimble, Ink-Stained Halfling of the Redacted Truth
It is not often that The Albion Inkwell finds itself the recipient of formal
correspondence from such esteemed quarters, and rarer still that said
correspondence arrives with both courtesy and caution so carefully balanced upon
the same page.
We extend our thanks for the letter addressed to this paper, and for the clarity it
provides regarding recent events surrounding our sellers. It is always welcome to
see matters of concern resolved with words rather than further… complications.
Editor’s Note — P. Wilston Hollow:
Despite the fact this has not been technically printed but transcribed, our counsel
Hawksmoor & Ravenshale has strongly advised that we redact the letter… so we
did.
A Retraction, An Apology, and A Clarification of Voices
By Dotty Quimble, Ink-Stained Halfling of the Truth (this time) and occasional corrector of it.
It has come to the attention of this paper, with some urgency and no small amount of embarrassment that a previous article
published under “Diplomats Strangling Trade” attributed statements to one Theo that were, in fact, not his. The individual
speaking in that interview was none other than Snorter, Duke of Gloucester, who, it appears, chose to present himself under
another name. Whether this was done in jest, confusion, or an overestimation of his own subtlety remains unclear. What is clear
is that the words printed were not those of Theo, and for that, we offer a full and unreserved apology.
In the interest of truth which we occasionally catch, pin down, and print we have since sought out Theo properly. A veteran of
many years, both before and after his service and, by his own admission, never quite allowed the peace of full retirement Theo
expressed a far more measured view. He holds that trade and material concerns alone are not justification for war, and that while
people and values may warrant defence, conflict should never be entered lightly. In his view, discourse, negotiation, and
compromise remain the proper tools of peace, and war, when it comes, should be reserved only for matters of true and undeniable
principle.
He further reflected on the cost of conflict, noting that commerce has value, but not one that justifies needless bloodshed. It is a
position grounded in experience, and one that stands in stark contrast to the sentiments previously printed in error.
At the time of the interview, Theo faces a grave and uncertain task: the potential creation of a new Balrog under the direction
of an Archon of Good. The risks are considerable, and the outcome far from certain. Even so, his outlook remains one of caution,
responsibility, and a desire that others learn from the weight of his own experience.
As for Snorter, Duke of Gloucester we thank him for reminding us that not all voices are what they claim to be, and that
verification remains a discipline worth practising. We trust that in future, introductions will be clearer, titles accurate, and
interviews conducted without theatrical disguise.
The Albion Inkwell remains committed to truth, even when it must correct its own ink.
Until next issue, stay curious, and question what you are told.
NEXUS — We Lived. Now Tell Us Why
The Nexus has come and gone, and Albion still stands —
though not without questions. If you were there, we want to
know what truly happened.
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Dotty’s Questionable Humour
Vortigern remains in the Blood Wood*
Proving once again that some people simply
refuse to leaf.
*On a serious note, Don’t go there
Mists Disturbed, Then Stilled
For Now
On Sunday of the Gathering, a significant
rite was conducted at Caer Avalon, drawing
the attention of many within Albion. The
rite was carried out with the assistance of
Cornelius and Elison, under circumstances
that suggest both urgency and careful
intent.
Most notably, Admiral Carlotta was
present, and it is reported that Excalibur
itself was used to carve a path into the Mists,
an act that alone speaks to the gravity of the
situation.
Those gathered witnessed a troubling
phenomenon: the Mists, already unstable,
were said to be casting out… things. Ill-
defined, unwelcome, and better left
undescribed in polite print. Whether this
was a symptom of the disturbance or
something far older being forced loose
remains unclear.
The rite appears to have had its desired
effect. The Mists have, for now, settled.
From them emerged forty Oathsworn
Harts, a sight that has already sparked both
relief and questions in equal measure.
Whether their return is a blessing, a
warning, or simply the consequence of
forces poorly understood is yet to be
determined.
In tandem with this, the standing stones of
Caer Avalon have once again been activated.
What this signifies is, as ever, a matter for
scholars, seers, and those brave or foolish
enough to interfere with such things.
Elsewhere, political winds shift as quickly as
the magical. Sinfay has made her mark in no
uncertain terms and one cannot help but be
impressed.
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Many battles wear the
spirit thinner than any
blade
rest where you may, mend
what you can, and
remember that even a
flame banked low is not
extinguished.
R
When crowns are
whispered into
existence and ancient
powers stir beneath old
soil, the wisest course
is sometimes neither
retreat nor conquest,
but patience enough to
see which shadow
devours the other.
No names.
No judgement.
Just truth, inked in confidence.
S
When the roots fall silent
and the web between worlds
tears open, listen not only
to the spiders mending their
strands but also to the quiet
earth beneath your feet —
for it remembers paths that
others have forgotten.
S
You walk where grief and
danger mingle; learn
quickly from those who
remain, for the dead leave
lessons heavier than their
absence.
C
Everyone carries some trouble not of their own making; if the black
vines have led you to notice certain older bindings and the hands
that once set them in place, follow that thought carefully for the
dead often leave their work tangled behind them, and patient minds
sometimes succeed where time alone has not.
6
Inkwell Ancestor Hunt
Fourteen names lie hidden within the grid — some run straight, others twist and turn where you least expect. Find them all, and
prove your eye is as sharp as your wit. (Hint on Page 5)
H E G O V C C K L W S U M G M X S E
O P N V H E M Z Y S G D T P T B F O
Y L E G T T T N H S R P H A F L J G
V M H N V J Q G Z G S H E G X Q S A
B T L M D E R D R O M O F Y K F A B
I T E O S R N U K N V D I H Q L R W
D C O K I T A R A N I S S U P T H Z
D E C S O N B G H T F M H B K P T X
U T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E H
V I E H F N Z D R N J O R W S K N X
R H L F D A E A N O P A K X V J R E
W C I G M N I W P C A L I G A R F Q
J R O A S N I S D K B Y N I U G D T
S A S S B A M M P Y X A G M I F N X
H E I O P M D L U O R V P C J M V J
D H W M X H L X J G D P Y H I O W K
Z T G H D P Y V T Z H H U N T E R F
L A A E I G U M K B W U A L M L P E
When followers follow too far — bristol finds the
edge of a challenge
By Brannick Vale, Crime Reporter, Watching Where the Blades Gather
It would seem that in Albion, a challenge rarely stays where it is spoken.
Bristol played host this week to what began as two rallies and ended as
something far less orderly, when followers of the Hunter and Mannanan
found themselves sharing the same streets and not for long in peace. What
might once have been spirited support quickly sharpened into
confrontation, as the challenge between the two figures took on a life of
its own amongst those eager to answer it on their behalf.
Witnesses speak of tensions rising with alarming speed. Words were
exchanged, lines were drawn, and then restraint gave way. What followed
was less a clash of ideals and more a demonstration of how quickly crowds
can become something else entirely.
Local Sheriffs arrived in time to pull the two factions apart before the
situation could properly unravel. Their intervention, by most accounts,
prevented what could easily have become a far bloodier affair.
Even so, several participants required first aid and healing following the
altercation a quiet tally of the cost when spectacle overtakes sense.
For now, Bristol settles back into uneasy calm.
But if this is how a challenge echoes in the streets, one cannot help but
wonder how far those echoes are willing to travel and how many more
will answer them.
3Odds, Ends & Enquiries
Lost — Sentimental Blade
A short sword of modest make but great personal value misplaced
following recent engagements near Caer Avalon. If found, please
return to the Harts camp. No questions asked, quiet gratitude
assured.
Wanted — Reliable Shield Bearer
Knight of reasonable standing seeks a dependable shield bearer
for upcoming ventures. Must be steady under pressure and
capable of ignoring questionable decisions. Payment negotiable,
survival not guaranteed.
Notice — Missing Tankard
A large iron tankard engraved with “Definitely Mine” has gone
missing from the Gilded Lotus. The owner insists it is
irreplaceable and will recognise it immediately. Others insist
otherwise.
For Hire — Discreet Problem Solver
Experienced individual offering solutions to delicate matters.
No task too small, few too large. Payment upfront. Details best
not written.
Lost — Sense of Direction
Last seen somewhere between the Harts camp and “just over
there.” If found, please return immediately. Owner has been
going in circles for some time.
Wanted — Apprentice with Patience
Craftsperson seeks an apprentice willing to learn, listen, and
occasionally hold things while being told they are holding them
incorrectly. Long hours, valuable skills.
For Sale — Fine Cloaks (Lightly Singed)
A selection of high-quality cloaks available at a reduced rate
following an unfortunate but brief encounter with fire. Still
warm. Still wearable. Mostly.
Seeking — Someone Who Knows What They’re Doing
General request. No further details. If you believe this refers to
you, it probably doesn’t — but you’re welcome to try.
Notice — Loud Snoring
Individual in the Harts camp requests that whoever is producing
the nightly thunderous snoring either seek assistance or at least
establish a rhythm.
4
Romance — Tall, Mysterious, Often Busy
Frequently occupied but undeniably interesting individual seeks
someone patient enough to wait and curious enough not to ask too
many questions. Evenings irregular, intentions mostly
honourable.
Seeking — Someone Who Heard That Thing
You were there. You heard it too. Please confirm it was not just
me.
Room to Let – Edge of The Greenwood
Rent reasonable, conditions unique. Applicants must be willing to
put up with the local flora and fauna.
Lost (Stolen) — Favourite Quill
My favourite quill has gone missing following a “brief borrow.”
If you have it, kindly return it before I am forced to begin
recognising it in other people’s hands.
Free to a good home – Little Bird
One chicken. Keep away from flammable objects. Please collect.
Soon!
Submissions to The Albion Inkwell
Those wishing to submit letters, articles, questions, or complaints
are invited to do so via the designated drop-off point, signposted
just a short walk from the Winchester transport circle.
For timely delivery, contributors may wish to employ a young
adventurer or obliging squire.
Wand Crime Set to Fade
With the recent expiry of several enchanted items, officials expect
incidents involving wand use to decline in the coming days.
Reports suggest many of the implements tied to recent
disturbances are already losing their potency.
Where magic fails, tempers tend to take its place. There is a
growing expectation that disputes once settled at a distance may
soon return to more immediate, and more personal, methods. In
short fewer flashes of light, and more swinging arms.
Inkwell Ancestor Hunt Hint
Hunter, Nethras, Pendragon, Taranis, The Architect,
Caligar, The Lady of the Lake, Mordred, Prydwen,
Rainbow, The Fisher King, Coel Hen, Mannanan, Helios
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