SABERHAVEN NEWS May 9, 2001


Here ye, here ye.
The latest news from the city of Saberhaven and its great Arena. Blood, 
death, gods and magic!


 
  During an air-borne fight in the Arena, one of the contestants, a
newcomer mage, Mildan, used Pierce any Shield followed by a lightning bolt 
to attack his opponent.  Unfortunately, his foe managed to dodge out of the 
way.  The PAS empowered Lightning Bolt sheared right through the dome of 
force surrounding the Arena, and hit the people in the stands.  Over 20 
people died from the electrical blast.  As a result, Pierce any Shield, and 
Mildan, have been banned from the Arena.  Other spells which might be 
capable of a similar effect are said to be under review by a special 
committee set up by the mayor.


    The wild mage, Saben, was killed in the Arena yesterday, by himself.
While apparently trying to cast Mirror Image, he suffered a wild surge and 
instead of the regular illusionary duplicates, he created a dozen clones of 
himself, who all promptly turned and blasted him to pieces.  They then 
turned on each other, and when the magical fireworks finally ended, only one 
was left standing.  Saben's opponent, was caught in a miscast spell and 
turned into a slug, which was then accidentally stepped on by one of the 
clones.


    An old man, probably in his seventies, has taken up a place outside the 
shrine of Mystra in the Arena district.  Starting a week ago he has begun 
declaring a prophecy of destruction and woe to come.  He says he has seen it 
in his dreams; the birth, and death, of gods.  He says that soon Luna, 
goddess of the moon and stars, will be gone.


    Rumors say that Zichlar, the evil demi-god, and the nation that he
rules, has tired of it's attacks on Kalbese.  It is said that he is looking 
for an easier target than the elves, and may have turned his eyes toward 
Saberhaven.


    The Grand, still under the mayor's ban against betting on the Games
(despite the fact that most of the small bookies, even some working in the 
Arena itself, are largely left alone by the city guard), has been sold.  A 
new partner, the Iron Serpent trading coster, has taken over the resort.


    The church of Fistus has announced publicly that it will be sponsoring 
several fighters in the Games, proving true the rumors that have been 
circulating to that effect.  The priests say that they will sponsor 6 
fighters who will face challengers, for the glory of Fistus, god of battle.  
One of the fighters that will represent Fistus in the Arena is the mul 
gladiator, Azul.


More news in the coming week, stay tuned!