| Garth Ranzz
UP: Sonoma
Many have heard the various rumors of a man named Balart and his
suspected activities of late. Is there any truth to these accusations?
This writer took a few days to see what he could uncover.
It seems that talk has been heard of a gathering of odd and rare
ingredients that have been delivered to the ArchMage Balart, who resides
in a house found in the middle of the infamous hedge maze. Among these
oddities is said to be BatWing, Daemon�s Bone, and Eye of Newt. One man
who wishes to remain anonymous stated, �Don�t think that getting these
items was an easy task. Lets just say many paid in blood so that Balart
could have these items for his own motives.�
But what could those motives be?
Various sources claim that Balart has plans to use these �ingredients�
for less-than-honorable motives, although little tangible evidence has
been uncovered to substantiate these claims. A missing diary belonging to
Balart is said to exist that may give some strength to this argument, but
this writer has yet to see such a document.
Sereuth, a well-renowned scribe and alchemist from Moonglow stated,
�Well I suppose these items could very well be used for dishonorable
means. Daemon�s Bone is said to be a very effective sedative when
combined in the correct manner. But it takes far more than those three
items alone to make anything too dangerous. On the other hand, there are
certain mixtures and formulae which could yield anything from a highly
efficient hair growth elixir, to an extremely virulent poison.�
Claims come from all over Britania that Balart has staged many assaults on
towns and private homes through out the lands. Some even say he has ways
of speaking directly into your thoughts. I was unable to substantiate
these claims however as I was never present during these �raids�.
Further claims of Balart�s responsibility for the theft of a poison sac
from the Spider Queen of Avatar Isle from Ceridwen the historian�s home
in Britain also failed to produce evidence.
Is this all hearsay? Are we all at risk from a mad man on the loose? I
decided to ask the man himself. Balart had this to say:
�Many dangers ride upon our realm; dangers to the sovereignty of our
current politic leaders. Myself, I am but a poor and humble scholar, one
whom suffers daily from slander and abuse heaped upon him by the
self-righteous. My goals are, and always have been, opening the minds of
the multitudes, and the gathering and security of magical artifacts so
that the...wrong people do not do harm. But I assure you this: as
threats to the status quo of the realm present themselves, you will find
me there at the forefront. And for those who would be foolish enough to
try and do harm to me, I have many...allies I can call upon to aid me in
protection.�
The ArchMage had a quick smile, but this writer was left with a measure of
uneasiness after the encounter. Still, there was nothing overt nor
substantial one could point to. In fact, his manners were precise, and he
was quite generous with both his time, and his tea during my visit.
We will continue to cover this and other breaking stories.
From the Town Cryer - The Journal of Ultima Online, Sunday,
October
3rd
1999
|