Berries & Ink/Issues/Berries-02-05

Publication: Berries & Ink

Volume: 02

Issue: 05

Issue Date: July 1, 2025

Contributors: Ysindre, Eruwyn, Kiyora, Shaoimhe, Valynn, Nawain, Aerilia, Dantia, Shaylynne, Crobin, Allye, Perune, Gragnel

Editor: Illiya

You tap a red-bordered parchment. A blob of berry-red wax is affixed to the parchment. It is imprinted with a plump strawberry nestled in a crown of delicate leaves. You gently open the folded parchment.

[~* Gnarled trees adorned with vibrant red strawberries and glossy black inkpots create a magical fairytale forest at the top of the page, the foliage framing the hand-lettered script: *~] Berries & Ink - Volume 2, Issue 5 [~* Editor's Note *~] Dearest readers, This issue sparkles with the thrill of change, of something wild and wonderous stirring just beyond the horizon. The threads of conflict we've been watching are pulling tighter now, and it seems the final knots of the story may be drawing near. We are thrilled to welcome two brilliant new voices to our fold: Aerilia, whose down-to-earth tale of goat herding and hand-combed cashmere is as heartwarming as a sunlit hillside, and Perune, who invites us into the fascinating realm of magical theory (and the surprising availability of Necrolords). As always, thank you for reading, dreaming, and daring along with us. May these pages bring you insight, laughter, and maybe even a touch of inspiration. Whatever it is you're seeking, I hope you find a bit of it here. Warmly, Illiya [~* A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsor for this issue: Firehawk Casari Tyrsin, "Shard's Hottest Bard" *~] [~* Mornings by Ysindre *~] Is there anything as peaceful As that time in early morn When you sit with coffee, listening As a brand new day is born The steaming cup gives comfort As the birds begin to sing The slate's wiped clean, no limits To what this day could bring So listen to the bird song Enjoy your morning brew And be thankful for another day Another chance to start anew [~* Twin apple tree branches abloom with pale pink petals embrace the words "Guess Who? by Eruwyn Cholares" *~] Enhanced with crystalline glitter added to the ink, leaf-green eyes sparkle from inside the round face of the ginger-haired Olvi that stands before the massive Northeast gates of Rivercrossing. Freckles are scattered across his nose and the skin of his athletic build. Reflected in his eyes, a merry grin reigns across his features. An elegant mantle of white billows from his shoulders showing off just a hint of the Paladins' Guild crest, while a matching tunic clads his form along with a pair of whitleather jousting boots. In one hand he holds a kertig lance, his grip comfortable and familiar as if perhaps battle had just finished. (Last issue's portrait: Ezerak. Winner: Leilanie. MAIL in your guess for this month! The winner will be revealed next issue.) [~* Stars of the Earth with Kiyora: Green *~] From verdant spring hues to the imprisonment of darkness smoldering deep within a shadowed forest, emeralds have long been considered the prime example of green in the gem world. For a different take, today's spotlight is on another glamorous contender for a place next to your spring, shadow, and alchemical absinthe beauties. Iahja: Savvy miners have learned to pause and shine their lights carefully before employing pick and shovel to copper deposits, hoping to spot clusters of long six-sided crystals bristling out from the rock. The larger the more coveted, for in the hands of an experienced gemsmith they transform into bright beacons of vivid green with blue and yellow iridescence dancing across the surface. This joyful interplay of color and light are hard to resist and bring a welcome vitality to their surroundings. [~* A whimsical array of tarts tumbling through a series of hoops adorns the words "The Tumbling Tart by Shaoimhe Bramblebairn" *~] The Ringmaster prowled amongst her circus like a proud lioness, our intrepid Mimi prancing along behind, bright-eyed and open-mouthed. Introductions were made as they moved throughout. Some - like the large Gor'Tog bear wrestlers - left Mimi speechless with awe, while others - like the Elothean contortionists who greeted her from a pretzel-like form - found Mimi in giggles of delight. The Ringmaster even conjured up a taffelberry tart for our little acrobat! It was everything Mimi had ever dreamed of and more. When the door finally closed on the quiet of the Ringmaster's office, Mimi was practically vibrating with excitement. "So," started the Ringmaster, sitting behind her desk and leaning towards Mimi. "YES!" Mimi injected immediately. [~* Eat This, Not That: Tart + Tipple Pairings by Valynn Aehre *~] Tucked like a well-kept secret into Shard's stately Sapphire Avenue, this tavern is hard to miss. A whimsical mural of boozy sprites, butterflies and flying kegs in blue and green hues distinguish this pub from the stately Elven and Elothean houses that dominate the avenue. Hollyhocks lean into the entryway like gossiping aunts, brushing your face to whisper, "You're going to love it here." Welcome to Liani's Heaven. Enjoy! * Roasted Garlic Tart + Apple Brandy: Bold bite meets smooth, oaky warmth * Red Pepper Tart + Snowfire Beer: Spicy heat cooled by frosty brew * Lamb Tart + Black Hand Rum: Savory spice with a warm, dark finish * Starfruit Tart + Raspberry Liquor: Tart meets tart - a sweet-sour cosmic clash * Strawberry Tart + Spiked Punch: Light, flirty - a festival in a bite [~* Wisdom of the Pack - The Wolf's Harvest by Nawain Augtaire *~] Rabbit and Wolf once were neighbors who shared the same fields, though only Rabbit planted anything in them. One year, noting how well Rabbit did at market selling crops, Wolf asked to help for a share of the harvest. Rabbit happily let him help plant, tend, and harvest the carrot crop. When it came time to divide it, Rabbit asked Wolf which half he wanted. Wolf, not being a farmer, asked Rabbit for whichever half he thought proper, and nodded agreeably when Rabbit generously offered to take the dirty bottom parts, giving Wolf all of the lovely, leafy tops. And so it was that Rabbit took plump and tasty carrots to market and made a great deal of money, while Wolf took bunches of carrot tops and made nothing at all. Is it any wonder that Wolf never farms anymore, but spends a great deal of time chasing Rabbit? [~* Tending Goats by Aerilia Lioren *~] Did you know that one of the prized exports of Zaldi Taipa is cashmere made from goats' fleece? My parents are goat herders so I spent much of my youth helping them tend to the herds that they managed. When it comes to managing livestock animals the day begins early, often before the sun rises! Most days the tasks are simple: provide the herd with feed and water, shovel away waste, and milk the nannies. When spring arrives it's time to comb out the long fleece that the herd grew over winter. We pin the goat and use combs with curved metal bristles to pull out the winter fleece. My dad could do this by himself, but I needed help to keep the animal still. After the fleece is gathered we sell it to the weavers who make it into the cashmere Zaldi Taipa is known for! I hope one day you will wear something I was a part of making! [~* A winding dashed line spells "Dantia's Destinations" and ends in a bright red X *~] Standing as a vigilant sentinel along the Northern Trade Route, the Northern Watchtower has risen from crumbling ruin to renewed purpose. Once a fading relic at the Zoluren-Therengian border, it now serves as the commanding headquarters of the Northern Watch, embodying their steadfast duty. Within its weathered stone walls, the Command Center hums with tactical discussions, the sharp scent of brewing coffee filling the air, while the recreation room provides a well-earned break, offering fine drinks and well-worn chairs for moments of rest. At the very top, the once-forgotten rooftop has been transformed into a proving ground, where members of the Watch engage in fierce spars beneath the open sky, testing their mettle in a constant display of strength and skill. [~* Five Fun Facts About...Temples To Visit, by Shaylynne *~] ~ The Halasa Temple rests on an island in the center of Cha'walkas, Aesry. Devotion alone won't get you there, you must bring enough physical strength to row a currach across the lake to admire this beautiful structure. ~ The Riverhaven Temple offers various shrines hidden amidst gorgeous gardens. ~ The Temple of Darkness houses a unique set of shrines dedicated to the Kermorian Pantheon. ~ The Temple of Serenity is built high up in the Wyvern Mountains. There are many secrets to discover, and Niloa sells vials of salts to perform the Tyura Circle rituals. ~ The Temple of the North Wind is another lofty trek at the peak of Asketi's Mount. Found in the dark sanctuary, a long underground tunnel bypasses the dangers of the Vela'tohr woods to emerge at the local Feltery. [~* The Adventures of Lavacano Gator, Ch. 15: The First Favor by Crobin Yuanfen *~] The Crossing temple was quiet as Lavacano stepped inside. He kept to the side halls, tightly clutching the boar bead, until he found Everild's worn, dust-covered altar. Pausing, he drew a vessel from his cloak and poured a careful stream of water over the altar. Wiping it clean with slow, deliberate strokes, the tension in his chest eased with each motion. When it was done, he placed the bead at the center and knelt. "I'm no hero," he muttered, "but I fight. I don't run. I want to stand, even if I fall." The air shifted. The temple grew still. A subtle warmth stirred in his chest, and where the bead had been, a small red orb flickered, pulsing like a slow heartbeat. Lavacano stared, then a quiet grin spread across his face. Everild had heard him. [~* A mirrored pair of swans gracefully flank the words "Fashion Alley with Allye: Divine Dress" ~*] As the Immortals' great battle approaches, shrines swell with pilgrims, and fashion too finds itself under holy influence. Cassocks once reserved for the clergy inspire streetwear in silken reinterpretations, reborn in light-catching fabrics and metallic threadwork that evokes divine halos. An influx is noted of gowns with structured high collars and belt-cinched waists. Devotees don color palettes tied to favored aspects: dusk-blue for Phelim's dreamers, or ember-red for the warriors of Kuniyo, for example. Triptych sashes from the Prydaen and Rakash pantheons layer belief and beauty. In a world teeming with the gods' golden presence, reverence finds expression in both word and wardrobe. [~* Connecting with our Enemies, Part I by Perune Noccarrin *~] The general understanding of magical lore among adventuring wizards has increased drastically in the last several decades. In fact, I would propose that we are actually living in something of a revival of the magical arts. Ever since the warping of magic in 407 AV, we've seen increased wizard experimentation, guild secrets revealed in greater increments, increased Planar activity (incursions and exploration), and once rare and dreadful Necrolords are now so common that I've recently heard you can purchase them at Herilo's for under a platinum. We live in a world partaking in magical study on a much larger scale than previous adventurers within the era of the Five Provinces. With study has come increased interest in the element of Aether, the element responsible for providing the substructure of our Plane. The aetheric field is where mana flows, embedding our plane with the necessary energies for reality. Each being within our Plane is also infused with a quantity of Aether. These elemental facts are the basis for many of the Warrior Mage's magical feats. Aethereal Pathways allow my Guild to use the elements suffused within the aetheric field to assist them in targeting magic. These abilities demonstrate how we unleash magic at a target and the nature of Aether and magic. However, one subset of spells acts as protection against offensive magic: Wards. [A simple drawing is sketched below - illustrating a stick-figure with jagged lines leaving its "hand," the lines pointed towards a second stick-figure within a circle] [~* Ode to Dusk Berries, Bridge & Verse Three by Father Gragnel *~] I've eaten all my berries and now it's time for me to rest. I've eaten all my berries and I simply feel the best. I've got to find more berries whenever I next wake. I've got to find more berries and I'll take as many as I can take. With this, the sweetest of berries, I hope I have a good dream. Of a night sky so starry and beautiful, it must be a gift from Phelim Munching on my berries, I have no fear of Dergati. Because with this berry I know that Damaris has got me. Yes, Damaris has got me. [~* Thank you for reading! Look out for more juicy bites in the next issue! *~]