The Great Pass, Outlands - The uneasy peace diplomatically reached three years ago between the gate towns of Rigus and Ribcage was broken a few days ago with an assassination attempt on the life of Nagaro, chief general of Rigus.
        A sniper using Baatezu toxin tried to write Nagano into the dead book, but her followers literally made a wall of bodies to protect her (at her order, of course).  The sniper was captured, but was dead before his bonebox could even rattle out his name.  Through speak with dead spells, determined that it was sent by Lord Quentill Paracs of Ribcage.
        In response, Nagano sent a few military orders of soldiers, included a contingent of Sodkillers (through an exclusive mercenary contract with the Minder's Guild) and the dreaded Toll of Doom Brotherhood.  Lord Paracs diplomatically opposed this action, pointing out that (1) the divination spell must have given false response, and (2) even if he had sanctioned the attempt, the diplomatic contract of three years ago requires neither city fund attacks on the others, but doesn't prevent private individuals funding assassinations of other single private individuals.
        Diplomatic agreements were ignored however, and forces of both cities met in the Great Pass.  The battle has been raging for a full week, and at this writing, is still going on.  Thus far, Rigus's troops seem to have the upper hand, with the Toll of Doom Brotherhood striking critical blows at seemingly every turning point in the battle.  In response, it is said that Lord Paracs is appealing to the embassy of the good gate towns he left build in his burg to keep it firmly in the outlands.
        Nagano, a female prime from Krynn, is well noted for her fiercely militaristic views, making her the strongest ruler Rigus (gatetown the Acheron) has had in recent memory.  She and her generals have been pushing their boundaries, claiming much land between Rigus and the neighboring gate towns of Ribcage (gatetown for Baator) and Automata (Mechanus).  Rigus backed off of it's declaration when the Modrons moved a large contingent from the gate to the borders of the gatetown.  However, it took quite a bit of sparkle and chant mongering for Ribcage to negotiate a deal.
        Themla Ridgehound is an aasimar hunter who makes kip wandering the outlands.  She only writes to keep funding for her hunting safaris.

Sharing a table with ... Estavan of the Planar Trade Consortium
by Drakus Lightquill
        This is the third in a series of nine sessions of our fine editor speaking with each of the nine councilors that make up the Sigil Advisory Council.  Next month, we'll bang around with Adriann Goldenson.

        Drakus Lightquill: Thank you for agreeing to this interview councilor.  I've been quite anxious to speak with you.
        Estavan: Thank you for asking.  Shall we start with your apology?
        DL: And what apology would this be?
        E: Well, you can't claim to be telling the truth fairly.  I mean, be fair, you were very unkind to me in your last Times issue, weren't you?  You misspelled my name, called me a coward, and have portrayed me poorly ever since the start of your little paper.
        DL: Well, I certainly apologize for the name misspelling.  It's a bit of a surprise that Jineen didn't catch that...
        E: Well, I believe it might be her little humor.  She jumped to your offer pretty fast after you posted the job in the Hall of Information.  Something about hating Berks pushing her through gates...
        DL: It will be taken care of don't worry.  As for showing you badly, I haven't at all.  The little bit last month most mostly because you scheduled with me twice, and failed to show without reason twice.  Did you just want to put your interview in Tithing, to represent you Taker nature, even though you claimed membership in the Fraternity of Order.  What happened to you?
        E: Affairs of business.  You should understand little quirks come up that need your attention.  Otherwise, you wouldn't write nearly as many articles for your paper as you do, right?
        DL: In any case, you are here to discuss many things other than the Torus Times picture of you...
        E: Are we?  I thought we were just sharing a table, like the title says.  We can discuss whatever we want to, right, or is it just screed to pull in passive readers?
        DL: People want to know the answers to their questions, not just get dodges that have nothing to do with the issues, like how you felt during the court case a few months back when you were added to the Sigil Advisory Council?
        E: Dodges, like what you just did to my question?
        DL: No, but since you desire the answer, here it is.  Sharing the Table is a good title for this interview series.  It is not like we are in a bar just chowing and randomly chatting, as wonderful as it seems.  I can do that with many people, just not you.  Now, it is your turn to answer my question about the court case.
        E: What more do I need to say.  The infallible dabus courts found Zadara stuffed the ballot box and therefore disqualified her.  I was next in the district and therefore given the seat.
        DL: You can't tell me you had no feelings in the case.  You and Zadara were staring swords at each other for the entire case.  Plus there was the 5 minute shouting match the two of you had where she argued that you stuffed the box with ballots for her just because you wanted her disqualified.
        E: She was the one who vented her frustrations at me, not an argument as you call it.  And I am not responsible for whatever you thought you saw between us.
DL: You can't honestly tell me...
        E: I am telling you honestly.  Instead of calling me a liar, and getting yourself in legal trouble, shouldn't you find a more useful way to use the time with me?
        DL: There isn't any law in Sigil that says I can't tell the truth about you!
        E: No, but there will be a law against printing lies, so you better print the truth.
        DL: Ahhhhh, yes, that brings me to the recent trend that has popped up in S.A.C. votes.  You introduce and vote for sanctions that work strongly against your enemies.  Would this law be a threat to make sure you are not exposed.
        E: No, it is not, just a polite warning that you shouldn't need, as you attend all S.A.C. meeting open to the public, so you know of these measures.  Now, I am not in a mood to deal with your allegations, so this interview is over.
        DL: Alright then.  See you in print!
 

Bazaar Bargains
by Kez'bat
        Unfortunately, Kez'bat has not reported in this month, since she said she was checking into something she heard about in the Bazaar a week ago.  Reward is offered to anyone who can help find her and bring her back safely.
 

The Great Gymnasium Opens to the Public
        The Ciphers left a gap when they left.  Larg and his hill giant buddies fill it.  After many fixes, Gymnasium now reopen.  Now anyone can become Gym members for jink.  Proper sized equipment for tiny peoples to very big peoples.  Come, be fit, and get stronger.  We will pump you up, tiny peoples!

Wanted
        Steady supply of ledgers.  Earl ate the last one.
        Contact: Ed, Ed's Big& Tall, Lady's Ward.

Wanted
        Berks who wants to earn some jink.  I need some investigations to be done to find a missing person.  Send a messenger boy to Tradegate and I'll contact you with in three days.
                                                                        -Armstrong

C'MON DESI:
        I was only kidding.  Come back please?  -Nibbles

For Sale
        Frog Spawn.  3s per bucket.
        Contact: Torihara, Lower Ward, for shipping details.

Berks!
        The factions ain't dead.  We just left town.  Belief still has power.  Find out for yourself: Take the portal in the door of Pets & Meat (use a compass as a key) to learn.  Portal is two-way and guarenteed safe!

Intelligent Cutters Sought
        Are you a sharp, creative cutter?  Want to make piles of jink?  We may want you!  Sigil's Interpreters Guild, responsible for interpreting the judgements of dabus judges in the Sigilian Courts need more cutters to help keep our courts clear.  Come and try out, and you may find your natural knack waiting within you.  No training provided.

Help Wanted
        Taurus Times is looking for a few good writers!  If you have always wanted to be a writer, here is your chance.  We're looking for reporters to go on assignment, find bargains here in Sigil, head our travel section, and other assorted jobs.  Inquiries should go to the T.T. offices next to Ylem's Replication on the border of the Lower Ward and the Hive.

Wanted
        Sweeping job with a big...thingy.  Sacked by boss, didn't eat ledger.
        Contact:  Url, street outside Ed's Big&Tall, Lady's Ward

This line could be yours!
        Anyone interested in announcing or advertising in the Taurus Times can do so for a mere gold piece for 50 words or less, plus an extra 3 coppers per word more than 50.  Contact the T.T. office by the 12th of each month to get into the next issue!

BAAAAAAA.  Heh heh heh.
                                - Fenton, Lamb of Doom, Baator.