Berries & Ink/Issues/Berries-03-07

Publication: Berries & Ink

Volume: 03

Issue: 07

Issue Date: October 1, 2026

Contributors: Eruwyn, Valynn, Shaoimhe, Stelling, Allye, Crobin, Harkour, Vendelt, Lasciel, Karatyna, Ahneya, Malkien

Editor: Illiya

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

[~* Soft light breaks across pale blue paper sky above a sun-drenched forest clearing with rain-streaked strawberries and inkpots framing the hand-lettered script: *~] Berries & Ink - Volume 3, Issue 7 [~* Editor's Note *~] Dearest Readers, As the weather turns cool, I find myself turning inward, seeking connection and reflection. We spend so much of our lives wandering, trying to make sense of who we are and searching for a place to call our own. This month, we wander through sun-dappled orchards and quiet streets, sharing in the comfort of fresh fruit and the unexpected kindness of strangers. We touch on the bittersweet echoes of memory and loss, muse playfully on the world around us, and reflect philosophically on how the past has shaped our present. We are excited to introduce Lasciel, who takes us on a poetic journey through the infinite wonders of the Astral Plane. And it is with joy that we welcome back Ahneya (of Ask Ahneya fame!), who brings her signature wit to the mysteries of Dragon Priests, while Malkien offers an insightful deep-dive into the evolving philosophy behind inner fire combat forms. And as always, this issue would not be complete without the brilliant tapestry woven by our favorite columnists, who bring so much heart and character to every page: Eruwyn, Valynn, Shaoimhe, Stelling, Allye, Crobin, Harkour, Vendelt, and Karatyna. May your autumn days be as crisp and sweet as the apples in Therenborough's gardens. With love and gratitude, Illiya [~* A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, Lexxa, Northern Watch, Praxium, Guildleader Qij, and not Mahtra *~] [~* Twin apple tree branches abloom with pale pink petals embrace the words "Guess Who? by Eruwyn Cholares" *~] The sun-touched crags of tan cliffs stretch out to disappear in the distance behind the tall Elven figure that stands atop a sand dune. Her oval face has high, pronounced cheekbones below almond-shaped crystal blue eyes. Blue-black hair touches the shoulders of her ebon skin, while a wry twist curls her lips into what might be a smirk or a half grin. A desert shroud of black sewn with rows of silversteel discs and a pair of tight, matching leggings clad her willowy form. Incongruously she holds a bright yellow lemon in her slender fingers as if offering it to the viewer. (Last issue's portrait: Harkour. Winner: Chihra. MAIL in your guess for this month! The winner will be revealed next issue.) [~* Eat This, Not That by Valynn Aehre *~] Autumn arrives at Therenborough Gardens, ushering in my favorite time of year with several ripe apple varieties. Six trees, each on its own clock, reward a frequent visitor. I visited early on and again just the other day, missing the window for white winter apples. Ambrosia apples blush crimson-gold. Pure fall crunch, best eaten fresh off the tree. Golden russets glow like lanterns, crisp and honeyed, but vanish quickly into a curtain of rust-colored leaves, so don't dawdle. Redstreaks stripe scarlet and cream, sweet enough to ferment into a lovely hard cider. Baron's Best the orchard's velvet-voiced showstopper, deep red, achingly rich, born to be stewed low and slow beside roast pork. Green pippins are sharp and sturdy, easily sweetened for a proper pie. * Visit frequently to taste the whole orchard before the branches empty. [~* A tiny cartoonish tart carrying a bindle walks atop the words "The Traveling Tartling by Shaoimhe Bramblebairn" *~] Welcome back, my fellow tartelers! (Okay, that's a work in progress, bear with me.) For this issue I went somewhere...a bit more well-known, but not a place I ever really *saw*. Theren! And they really do have a lot going on there. I explored the new gardens and grabbed some delicious apples. Oh, and watched some jousting practice in the arena! (Bally and I have a lot of work to do...) There's no good tarts, but I will (grudgingly) admit that the cupcake bakery is immensely enjoyable. The public baths are very nice indeed, and the theatre has some great popcorn - and shows, of course! Plus there's a super cute gift shop. So although there were a few places I wasn't allowed (rude...), I'll still give this city a nod of appreciation. [~* Bottles and flasks sprout from thorny vines encircling the title "Measured Pours by Stelling Constalon" *~] This whimsical bracelet of mine Dangling charms, various gems, shining bright Deceptively pretty...I feel like that's a theme What libations may it hide inside? The passionfruit vodka, a certain Pry's fave Good feelings, muted music Hazy, pretty, calming and relaxing You'll be sad to feel it end You know by now, I'm a fan of whiskey But the dragon's breath is something else Firey pain, feeling of smoke pouring out An assault beyond the normal strong drink Asketi's ride though, we know what it's named for Scariest drink, but brings you to life Throws you to the ground But at the end, the nothingness brings perfect peace [~* Myths of the Mouse: Bristlebrush's First Lance, by Allye Karayilma *~] Klineklaus nearly burst with pride when little Bristlebrush announced she meant to be a jouster. "A noble calling!" he cried, hurrying to the cupboard. "Every knight must have a proper lance!" Pip plucked a sewing needle from her basket. Klineklaus froze. It looked terribly sharp in Bristlebrush's tiny paws. "Perhaps," he said faintly, "we begin with a toothpick." "But Papa! You use a hairpin!" "Yes, well." Klineklaus gently traded her the needle. "Your grandmother had opinions about that, too." From across the room, Pip hid a smile. For the first time in his life, Klineklaus understood his mother perfectly. [~* The Adventures of Lavacano Gator, Ch. 27: Payment Enough by Crobin Yuanfen *~] Returning from training, Lavacano spotted an older merchant struggling to unload crates from a wagon. Without a word, the goblin set his riste aside and grabbed one. The merchant eyed him suspiciously. "I didn't ask for help." Lavacano shrugged. "Didn't say you did." One crate became two, then five, until the wagon stood empty. When the merchant reached for his coin pouch, Lavacano shook his head. "Keep it." The merchant studied him for a moment, then disappeared inside his shop. He returned carrying a steaming bowl of stew and a chunk of fresh bread. "Then at least eat." Lavacano stared at the meal before accepting it. Not long ago, the Crossing wouldn't even let him through its gates. Now someone was feeding him. Lavacano grinned and tore into the bread. Free food. Maybe helping people wasn't so bad. [~* One Year So Long and So Short: Winter Comes by Harkour Navarre *~] He returns home from a battle To find a home that looks the same Where once they both lingered Scarred by blade and by flame She isn't there to greet him Only cold home and colder grave An infant presented by a neighbor So small and shares his name The mornings she was sick with worry Was in truth something more A daughter born while he was gone A surprise they would be thankful for Yet undefended were their lands While the army was away She hid the girl before the raid Then her life was taken away In the child's eyes he sees his love A mother's gaze and father's smile Shared tears for someone they loved A beautiful memory undefiled. [~* The Dark Dyaus, Ch. 7: Tenebran and the Price of Knowing by Vendelt *~] The dame didn't waste words. Found me on my way to Southwest Elder Bark and stopped me cold. Said she was through, told me to keep whatever I'd already been paid for whatever good it had done her, I was wasting her time and money. Then she was gone, back into the city, back into whatever life had existed before she'd walked into mine with an odd question I still hadn't answered. I stood in the street and thought about going home. The case was closed. The client was gone. There was no good reason left to keep pulling at this thread - except the one that had gotten me into it in the first place. There's a reason I do this work and it isn't the coin. It's never been the coin. I glanced back over my shoulder just once, pulled my hood up and kept moving. The answer was still out there. That was enough. [~* The Astral Plane, by Lasciel Averoigne *~] I... walk the Astral Plane. I have seen things you wouldn't believe... A thousand dead stars illuminate the ancient broken ruins at Tabelrem. Dead suns still shine .. such are the deceits of distance and time. Stars... stars, stars, an infinitude suspended in the Void. Stars above. Stars below. Stars where there is no sky. Impossible geometries. The great, glassy, black bones of long-dead titans lie half-buried in the Astral firmament. Rainbows slither across the sky. Forgotten dreams reflected in stained-glass halls. Always an obscenely swollen sun hangs, impossibly large across the heavens, bloated and gravid, pregnant with light but shedding no warmth. Luminous webs of white fire that stitch from star unto star, and I remember sometimes the things we see are not what they are. [~* Aether and Whiskers - The Spark and the Soak by Karatyna *~] My Lady sat down with a gleam in her eye 'New elemental tricks for my buddy to try The Guild learned to shift your affinity's flow To change how your spirit and element glow' She channeled pure water, a surge and a splash No mystical glory or magical dash Just sad, soggy whiskers and fur dripping wet The grumpiest, puddliest rodent as yet She shifted to lightning, a crackle, a zap No bolts of destruction to spring in my trap Just every hair standing completely upright A frizzled-up puffball electrified white! She grounded the current and dried off my snout 'We'll pause the experiments, little scout Back to plain fur while I study the lore I'll read up on methods before trying more!' [~* Getting to Know Your Neighbors with Ahneya *~] The more I deal with the Dragon Priests, the more I find I do not understand them. First of all, they are not Dragons. Maybe they could pretend, I mean they kind of look like tiny ones in a way. There is not a lot of fire breathing though and hatching from things. Maybe they hatch from boulders or rocks? Definitely too small to hatch from any moons. Secondly, they are not priest like at all. I never see them praying or tithing. Maybe they are angry priests? But what are they angry about? Not being dragons? I can see being angry about that especially if someone says I want to make you a Dragon Priest. I imagine they must really get excited thinking even though I have to pray and make holy water I get to be a dragon, that is amazing, then nope, dreams shattered. That would make me angry too. We will continue to study and try to understand these Dragon Priests in later installments and hope to have you along on this journey of discovery. [~* The Philosophies of Flame - Pt. II by Malkien Pinav-Sedra *~] With the broadening of Inner Fire/Inner Magic application, the modern Barbarian or Thief is more akin to a mixed martial artist than a backstabbing rogue or berserking marauder. Mixing principles also apply to the emotions of inner magic: one moment serenely protected, the next moment inspiring terror with a supernatural shout or aura. Swan and Dragon Form most reflect this change in philosophy. Swan Form - As the Barbarian guild coalesced, the forest elves of Leth Deriel combined regional dialects of anti-magic maneuvers into a Dance. Though Swan Dance was strong in its own right, its true power is only unlocked with the development of Meditations. The integrity barrier of its combination with Serenity Meditation is a microcosm of the benefit of mixed forms. Dragon Form - Dragon Dance sought to apply every principle of Barbarian combat into a single, fixed form. Though Dragon Form is undoubtedly less singular in power than its forebear, it is now taught as a founding principle of combat, allowing the freedom to use it alongside berserks and meditations, which was previously not possible. [~* Thank you for reading! Look out for more juicy bites in the next issue! *~]