EAR REVEALS ALL
THE LATEST DIRT FROM BABYLON
Ear Enkidu Babylon
Ear is most amused. Ear has learned that Babylon's venerable Chief Justice is now positioning himself to be a venerable Asian!
For shame, Mr. Justice. It's bad enough that you only take your exquisite wife on only one excursion a year... NOW you want to avail yourself of a few dozen Asian concubines. Don't bother to deny it! Now Ear knows why you wanted so many exotic countries in your playground!
The Carthaginians that have lately discovered Babylon seem to have developed a rather alarming taste for the local brew. Ear has learned that all of these Phoenician descendants are making up for lost time and that The Kash Bowl is reeling after Jonus Hasdrubal's latest adventure with the floor! Tsk, tsk, lads - give the locals like Apiladey a chance at total debasement - they were here first!
Speaking of the Kash Bowl, Ear has learned (and this is strictly confidential, my dears) that Hildebeest, coincidentally? after her adventure in Zig's bed, has gained financial control over the Kash Bowl. Yes, kiddies, it's true...and Ear is still trying to discover exactly WHAT Hilde had to do in Zig's bed to come away with such a prize!
Midge, Voluptua's sometime lover and courageous bowling ball, may be out of commission for a time. Ear has learned that he has a serious case of shin splints, although Ear has been unable to determine whether it's from rolling down the alley or...ahem...other activities which we shall not divulge.
Yes, yes, give Ear credit for some discretion. After all, gentle readers, Ear didn't tell you about the time that Zig...er...ahem...*cough* *cough*
Ear has to go take a cold shower now. Ear is verrrrry flushed...
CELTIA EXPOSED
Three New Groups in Celtia!
Flidais Niafer Celtia
Three has always been a magic number for the Celts, and so it is my pleasure to introduce three newly formed groups from Celtia!
The Fianna hosted by Eoghain Cumhaill, is based on the legendary war band of Fionn MacCumhaill from the Ulster Cycle of Irish literature. This group offers something for everyone interested in the Fianna - from historical discussion of weaponry and martial arts, to roleplay and poetry. Unlike the original Fianna, whose elite members had to pass a series of challenging tests, participation in Eoghain's group requires nothing more than a sincere interest in the lives and times of Celtic warriors.
Culture Tidbits and Story Ideas is a group that is long overdue in Celtia. Anaceri Averni has opened up forums that will serve as collections of historical reference material, along with discussions geared towards creative writing. The best of both worlds! Here is a sneak peek at one of the threads currently taking shape - an exchange of ideas about fashions and status in the ancient Celtic world.
Last but not least, The Faery Ring led by the King of Shadows himself, Amleth Yngling, promises lots of fun for those of us who never quite outgrew fairy stories. Celtic lore is rich in faery traditions. Explore the misty realms where the wee folk still thrive today, learn the legends that hide in the shadowy sidhe mounds, dig down and discover the roots of the otherworld - and if you are so inclined, you may even join King Conaglin's Rade!
All three of these groups are unique in their own way but one thing they all have in common is a joyous celebration of the ancient Celtic path. Come and see what the excitement is all about.
WHAT'S UP IN GERMANIA
Yngvildr Scylding Germania
After two Acta issues without an update on the ongoings in Germania it is high time to fill in our reverred readership about what is happening in our city. Erm...city??? Well, as long as no one comes up with a better term, we shall use it nolens volens - but anyway, here we go!
A Tribute to Thiu
November came and with it a sitewide change with regard to the scribes of Ancient Worlds. Several new ones were appointed and several of those who had served since the early days were transferred into the new status of scriba emeritus. As to Germania, this applies to the one person without whom this city would have probably never come to existence and who did put a tremendous amount of work and knowledge into his "baby". Our heartfelt thanks go to Thiudareiks Gunthigg for all he did for Germania! We are happy that Thiu Venerabilis, as he is called now, is going to remain active as History Consultant. Also he has taken on the leadership of Angelcynn, which leads us directly to the next paragraph, the group news. (Nice way to lead over, huh?)
Group News
As mentioned, Thiu is now in charge of Angelcynn which has since seen a considerable growth in activity. We look forward to much more interesting academic discussion there. Also, a new group has been founded in Germania, De Vliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman), focussing on pretty much everything related to Dutch history and culture. The group leader, Hadewigis Folcwalding, has provided some more information which you can find in the group section.
The Neighbourhood Project
This upcoming feature has caused a lot of discussion all over the Ancient Worlds, but in Germania this project has been met with a fair amount of scepticism given that a concept that works well in cities like Rome or Babylon is very hard to adjust to Germania with its very complex set up. Our scribe Ahtaswintha Chattian called it very rightly a four-dimensional historic-geographical space-time-structure. Still, several suggestions were made and based on those, Thiudareiks Gunthigg came up with a suitable model that, as this article is written, is the object of lively discussion.
Yule Festivities
Unlike last year the Germanic scribes do unfortunately not see themselves in the position to arrange for a special Yule celebration. But it does not have to be the scribes - all our members are very much invited to contribute their ideas for one of the most important Germanic festivals. A thread will very soon be established on our festival board, The Germania Groove, for this purpose. As to our understanding, there are a couple of Norse Heathens amongst us and it would be fabulous if they could share some of their knowledge and activities with us. Also, our central public establishment, The Red Boar Tavern, is currently being polished up and decorated for the season. The staff is busy collecting holly and ivy and fir twigs and also some very nice Yule beer is being brewed. So deck the halls and join the merriment!
The voting has closed for naming the new AW8 "city" and the ballots have been counted. Allowing for vaccilation, switched votes, and mere commentary, the results are as follows: The Orient-23 votes, Asia-13 votes, The Silk Road-3 votes, Kashgar-1 vote. Therefore, we will recommend to the Administration that the name of the new AncientWorld "city" will be "The Orient". Thanks to the 40 voters for their participation. It was a nice turn out at the polls. The next step is to select "neighborhoods" for The Orient.
