The Giblot Tribune/Issue 5

The Giblot Tribune
Free	The Newspaper You Can Trust!	Issue 5

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Giblot at War

By Attila Ahso It is sad really. When I temporarily left Giblot to explore Beluaterra and gather data on the emerging religious factions there, I never expected to return to find we were at war with our old friends, Lukon. Though in this enveloping and choking darkness I see there is light. Firstly, Giblot is once again unified in something, for better or worse and has stopped her bickering. Secondly, many have been getting on amiably with the Lukonite and Tilogian forces in Steepglades. Though sadly this behaviour is tainted by the actions of the ever spiteful and poisonous tongue of Sera Osha and no doubt a few others on either side, though I am in general not privy to most Noble discussions. Not that hobnobbing with the elites is really my thing anyway. From the little information I have garnered since my return to Giblot it appears we won the first day of battle in Steepglades though outnumbered and we then fought further battles as the days progressed - winning each one but only after fierce and proud fighting from our enemies beforehand. Recorded below are the Ballads of Black Beard, a Soldier of Lukon who has summed up in perfect and beautiful detail the battles in Steepglades thus far. We greatly recommend you read them. Why on earth the man is a Nobleman and not making a fortune out of books we simply don't know.

Ode of the Battle of Steepglades, Day One		Ode of the Battle of Steepglades, Day Two		Ode of the Battle of Steepglades, Day Three
In the waning days of spring, While the fields were yet green, In a wild and rocky place called Steepglades, Came Outer Tilog and Lukon to lift up their blades. Greatly irked by the sight, Giblot vowed to make it a fight, Swearing that before the next night, Their foes would haste to take flight. The battle raged long, Sweet meat for the strong. And when the dust cleared, It was Giblot that cheered. Yet to their surprise, They would soon realize, The defeat of them they did despise Was not their fill, far less their demise. What manner of people were these? Who could lose friend and brother - Then smile as sweet as you please, Saying, Thank-you, we'll have another. So, while already too long, Tiz not the end of this song. For whether it brought joy or sorrow, They would meet again upon the morrow.		On the second bloody day, All sides again rejoined the fray, And though their walls were down, Giblot firmly stood their ground. The enemy charged with savage glee, Better death than to be made to flee. Mindful that their mothers had all said, Come back a victor, or come back dead. Though none denied their pluck, They were not so blessed with luck. And before the day was done, Giblot slew them two to one. Now the barbarians turn to be surprised, This was an outcome none had surmised. They buried their dead, lost to eternal slumber, Then they counted head, now so few in number. The generals discussed their plight, Too proud to run, too few to fight. When an old gray head, stood and said, There is but one way out, move ahead. Bypass this cursed rocky place, That consumes legions without trace. Loot and pillage and burn their fields. Make them suffer til their will yields. Giblot can not drop Steepglades' defence, With Outer Tilog's city across the fence. While far less glorious than true battle, Who does not like easy gold and fat cattle? We are barbarians, are we not? Not some dainties from Camelot. It matters not where we do harm, On battlefield or village farm. And so they laid their new plans, To wreak havoc across Giblot lands. And so here this ode again ends, Until we see what tomorrow sends.		Giblot's general read the words again, For it was not at all beyond his ken, That the words sprang from poison pen. He would not deign to send away his men. For he judged the barbarian's scribe, Tried to do with with words that lied, What they had failed with sword and spear, To drive Giblot's army to the rear. So he sent word to his weary men, Not to let themselves be taken in, Tilog and Lukon would attack again. But the third day would be the end. And so came the dawn of day three The tattered remains of their army Charged once more into that bloody glen, Once more filled with battle's din. There really was never any doubt, That this day would end in a rout. But barbarians fight for simple pride. It mattered not who lived or died. The battle, though fierce, did not last long (A blessing for them who tire of this song) So there is little left to say. Giblot once again took the day. Hail Giblot, brave and strong, Worthy champions of this song. But a battle is not a war. Know ye this, there will be more. But for now, we lift our mugs in salute, Not so low as to deny fair tribute, To a long battle, well and fully fought. And finally, this ode is fully wrought. Black Beard, Warrior Bard of Lukon On this 27th day of the fifth month of the third year