Hornsounder - June 2008 Edition

[Mystica]

Welcome to this month's edition of the Hornsounder!

The Hornsounder is back once more, and boy has it been a busy month here in the Band.  Our EiC has bowed out  once more, but we're still going to deliver your news in grand fashion!

We are continuing to move forward with our process and there have been some changes in the Hornsounder with different pieces coming and going.  We have two fantastic articles making a comeback this month!  Paladin Manny, Footman, and Snin brought back a very lengthy article about the Org Game, and there's lots of juicy details that you might find interesting.  Check that article out for a breakdown of the current Bel Tine Festival.  Also making a comeback this month is the Caption the Picture Competition.  Lady Stef has brought this game storming back and I've got to tell you, that picture is going to make creating a caption a lot of fun!  If you like making funny comments about a picture, be sure to check that out!

Another month is in the bag and it's hard to believe that we are already a third of the way through 2008!  We've got plenty of stories again this month and we are hoping to bring you even more stories next month!

Grab yourself a drink, sit back with a snack and enjoy this month's edition of The Hornsounder.

Mystica,
Editor in Chief

JoTS Winner of the Month 

This month's topic was: Cavalry: Knights and Horses.

And the winner: Myst of the Infantry

Congratulations, Myst

The winning JoTS:

A Mule for a Horse!

We love to sit and hop, hop, hop
And ride our horses untill they drop
If only we knew just how to stop
And sit with Jack o' The Shadows.

They say we got it all so wrong
Our horses were mules all along
But they're so purty and so strong
As they frollick with Jack o' The Shadows.

June's Headlines!

As our regular readers have come to know, the Hornsounder is divided into Sections, each handling a part of the newspaper and housing specific topics. I give you now a summary of what you can find in each Section.
You may find your interested parts quickly by scrolling to the Sections, which are clearly marked by their own Header as the one you see here on top. Subsections within can be recognized by their Blue color and therefore equally easy to recognize. 

The Band of the Red Hand Section brings you the Word from our Marshal-General, gives reasons to join the Band, and puts the spotlight on the new occurances of the Band.  Also in this section is a recap of the lottery winners for the month, an introduction to the Band's current Active Members,  and you get the opportunity to smooch away on our Banders' birthdays .     Ending this month's Band of the Red Hand Section is a compilation of Real Life News from our Banders reminds us of the people behind the words.

The Regimental Section will effectively satisfy your hunger for knowing what's been up with the Archers, Cavalry and Infantry this month. Check up on the antics of the Recruits while they visited every Regiment, see whether a new Knight or Lady has been raised or who has gained the title of Paladin in the Cavalry, see if the Infantry gained a new Morat or maybe a new Blademaster even, or see if any Archers obtained the rank of Sora or who earned their Archer medals. 

In the Raw Recruits Section, our Executive Officer, Paladin Bridmorgan will fill you in on the latest updates on our Recruits and present you with the Recruit of the Month.

In the  Redarms Section our Redarm Leader, Paladin Manriva fills you in on all the law breaking and spotfining activities that were found in the Band this past month. He was not around for part of it yet his team performed well.  There has been a lot of chaos happening from the looks of it!

The Specials Section brings you a nice little collection of Columns and stories that will make you sit up and beg for more. Further there are some really interesting Raw Recruit and  Freelance articles submitted by several of the Band's newest members and/or some hardcore reporters.

Entertainment is the spice of Life! Or was it variety? Who cares... Stop by and check out the newest cartoon to the Hornsounder.  Read the amazing poetry written by some of our members. Get those braincells to working and claim those prizes! Join in on the Competitions and see if you are a wizard at Sudoku and can beat the Sudoku Master, Jon the Direwolf! Mystica has brought back a competition that we had several months ago, and you are called to the Quest in this month's Scavenger Hunt.  Be sure to check out the new  Caption the Picture Competition! See if you can come up with the best caption, and claim the prize that goes along with the glory! So don't miss out on snatching up those prizes!

The free standing Games on the other hand, offer a nice warm up for those that need it or a fun way of passing the time in those dead hours between earning points for your promotions.
If you played the ones from last month and want to find out how well (or bad) you did, you'll find the correct answers here too. Also, be sure to check out the Jokes for a good laugh!

Dragonmount, our home. Taymist brings you the news of the Kin and the Wolfkin .

In the Wheel of Time Section read all about the topic of conversation, turmoil, and uproar from DM this month!

Last, but most definitely not least, the Editorial Section you can find out everything about the Hornsounder itself. What it is, how it works, who the slaving mad people are that make sure you get your newspaper full of interesting stuff each month and how YOU can be a part of it all too.

So there you have it folks. I hope you will enjoy this month's Edition of your Hornsounder thoroughly and if you have any ideas or suggestions that might make your Hornsounder Experience even more fun, don't hesitate to let us know.

Or maybe you too want to try your hand at being a reporter?
There's room in the Hornsounder for everyone, so don't let those doubting demons get the best of you. Jump right in and contact me through pm with any ideas for articles and/or projects you may have!

Until next month,

Mystica,
Editor in Chief

[Mystica]

Word from the M-G

Summer is finally here (well, in the U.K. at least), since we have had Royal Ascot and now in the middle of Wimbledon. And for once, it is glorious sunshine during this period of fantastic summer sport. And as a result, things tend to slow down with the Band during this period because of holidays and vacations. Sadly, I don't have any lined up, as I am working my little socks off to earn some cash and also hunting for a job (I should hear about one in the next week) since I graduated from university in June with the degree I wanted.

Most of the Band activities this month have been a continuation of what has been going on before. Below is a lowdown on the goings on of the Band.

Battle of the Bands
This activity has been continuing, and we are currently in the final week of picking winners for genres. We will shortly be moving into the knock out stage of the competition, where it will heat up nicely!
 
Regimental Competitions
The 2 month Scavanger Hunt is drawing to a close, as the three Regiments hunt for trivia on music and travel from around the world. A set of anagrams have been given to the Regiments for the final week, and it is extremely tight in the table. Results to be published next month.

Tune or No Tune
The weekly thread of "Tune or No Tune" continues to be a hit, with further information below. Taymist ran a couple of weeks while I was on limited internet access, so there was some fresh music to listen to and decide whether it was a Tune (i.e. you love it) or No Tune (i.e. you hate it).

Desert Island Disks
BridMorgan and Myndrunner are still continuing their interview for Desert Island Disks – BotRH Style, and should be finishing shortly.

Rhuidean - Survivor
Rhuidean - Survivor continues, and 3 Banders have been voted off. Taardad Clan are down to three members, since JR and Corki have been voted off. Katiora was ousted by the Shaido Clan, leaving Goshienas the only clan still with its original 5 members. 

The Return of The Quest
Kara_J and goldeneys are still sorting out thye beginnings for The Quest, but we should be ready to go soon.

The Formation of the Masons
To bring the Band of the Red Hand ORG in line with the Band of the Red Hand in the books, discussion about forming a 4th Regiment is underway. We are at the stage of getting names of people interested in doing the work to create the new Regiment, and we hope to unveil the newest addition to the Band by the end of the year.

The Wiki Site
This is going to be our big project for the next few months, as we create our wiki site. The site will be an archive of all the history of the Band, as well as being the source of all information about the ORG. It will be a valuable tool, and will grow in the weeks and months ahead.

That is a lot of things going on in the Band of the Red Hand at the moment - and a lot of things that are open to everyone at DM. We have a lot of activities to come in the future, including Band Idol, which will hopefully be touring DM, so stay tuned and feel free to get involved.


Why Join the BotRH?

So, having read some of the activities the Band gets up to, you want to know more about the ORG? One of the ORG's focus is music, and the Band's other focus is travel. Banders are regularly writing reviews about any music album they own, whether it be old or new, as well as any gigs and concerts they have been to and various locations around the world they've visited. Responses to these reviews are encouraged, which gives Banders points, and these points allow for promotion through the many ranks in the Band. This is the basis of the ORG.

When you first join up with the Band of the Red Hand, you become a Raw Recruit. During this time, you experience life with each of the three Regiment (Archers, Cavalry, Infantry) and the Band itself as well so you get to know how the ORG works, and you don't get lost in your early days in the Band. After your three weeks of completing various tasks as a Recruit, you then pick the Regiment you wish to join and thus become a fully fledged member of the Band of the Red Hand. Also, once you picked your Regiment, you will be guided to become an Infantry Blademaster or a Knight of the Cavalry or an Assassin within the Archers.

However, the Band is not all about work. We have many fun activities going on within the ORG, ranging from simple word games to our ORG Game, created by Canis Rufus with the help of Mallett. Everything is based on the luck of rolling dice, so build up your stats to give yourself the chance of getting better rolls! Once you've taken the seven easy lessons, you can then challenge any Bander to a duel in the Arena and bring great glories to your name! Look out for Festivals of Games as another way to bring glory to your name! We are the only ORG to gamble as well, so create a Bank Account and join in the Lottery to earn some big winnings just like Mat!

As you can see, the Band is a place with a variety of activities, hopefully catering for everyone's needs. There are various activities for those who want points to go up the ranks, or fun and games for those who want to socialise. The Band is open to everyone, so come and join the fun at the best ORG at DM!

"Tune or No Tune" - The Latest News
(by Corki)

In the review of the month, I briefly mentioned the weekly thread called "Tune or No Tune". This article expands on what happened during the month for the weekly thread, giving a summary of the results of the songs picked.

"Tune or No Tune" is a simple poll thread where Corki (or a member of the Senior Staff if Corki is on a LoA) choose a song and everyone decides whether it is a TUNE (i.e. you love it) or NO TUNE (i.e. you hate it).

Since the last summary article, we have had 4 songs up, with 2 Tunes, 1 No Tune, and a tie. The two songs picked by Taymist while I was on limited net access ended up being "Tunes", so Tay has a 100% record for picking a Tune. I'm not jealous at all!

26th May 2008: Believe by Dima Bilan --> NO TUNE (4-5)
2nd June 2008: Mirror Mirror by Blind Guardian --> Tie (4-4)
9th June 2008: No More I Love You's by Annie Lennox --> TUNE (6-5)
17th June 2008: Alone by Heart --> TUNE (5-0)

The current song up in "Tune or No Tune" is the Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. Below is the link to the song. Feel free to get involved in this extremely simple thread.
Link to the latest "Tune or No Tune"

I expect that a new thread will be up by the time The Hornsounder is published, as the next song is chosen on Monday 30th June. So just head to the Band of the Red Hand's public boards and look for a thread with the wording "Tune or No Tune" in it, or the abbreviation "ToNT".

Battle of the Bands - The Latest News
(by Corki)

The Battle of the Bands competition is now in full swing, and we are nearing the knock out stages as we are in the last week of picking winners from the genres. In total, there are 16 different genres. Each of the three Regiments in the Band - the Archers, the Cavalry and the Infantry - have all nominated someone who they are championing. Then, for one week, two genres are picked from the 16 and the Band and DMers determine who they want to go through to the Grand Final. The Grand Final will be a simple knockout, until we are left with our champion. It's that simple. And to get involved, all you need to do is find the latest threads (links provided below or check out the Band of the Red Hand ORG public boards) and post who you want to win.

Below are the results for the 8 genres since the last edition:

Jazz
LOUIS ARMSTRONG - 8
Ella Fitzgerald - 4
Billie Holliday - 2

Metal
METALLICA - 10
Motorhead - 5
Ozzy Osbourne - 5

Ska
MADNESS - 12
Five Iron Frenzy - 3
The Urge - 1

R&B[/u]
RAY CHARLES - 9
Otis Redding - 6
Macy Gray - 2

Electronica
THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS - 5
Moby - 4
The Prodigy - 3

Rock
LED ZEPPELIN - 5
Aerosmith - 4
The Rolling Stones - 4

Hip Hop
THE BEASTIE BOYS - 7
Run D.M.C. - 2
Grandmaster Flash - 1

Trance
ARMIN VAN BUUREN - 5
Robert Miles - 4
Paul Van Dyk - 2

Garage and Indie are the last two threads for finding winners for the 16 genres. Below are the links to get involved in these threads:
Battle of the Bands - GARAGE
Battle of the Bands - INDIE 

We look forward to you getting involved.

[Mystica]

Bander's Birthdays
(by Bridmorgan, XO)

It's that time once again to find out who another year older!!  *watches Myst stalk away disappointed with her chicken feathers*  June's a big month for birthdays...October must have been a good month!!  Now make sure to take some time out and wish our Birthday boys and girls many happy returns!!  So from all of us at the Hornsounder...HAPPY SMOOCHDAY!!

6/1 - shaidarmudrover (that's a mouthful!)
6/2 - Kara_J
6/4 - Gareth22
6/5 - redavenger
6/6 - Alishandra, Diamondmask, Kate Sedai
6/7 - Owan, Dragonrider
6/12 - Kastchei, Nighteyes
6/13 - Son of Battles
6/14 - Falconsfall
6/15 - Griffon
6/16 - Tai
6/18 - Nynaeve
6/19 - Liooness
6/21 - Jhaenara, MidnightMarauder
6/24 - Damondevilkin
6/26 - Lord Rayden, Praeda, Tharengore
6/27 - Uasal Arach
6/29 - Damarian, Hazmite, Mightelove, Shadowgamer
6/30 - Kogie

Ranking list of the Active Banders
(by Bridmorgan, XO)[/color]

The ranks you see are based on the earning of ORG points and are arranged top to bottom. The top 3 positions are what we call our 'Senior Staff' and they are permanent and not linked to any points. The points based positions are divided between 'Commissioned' (= Officers) and 'Enlisted' (= Non-Officers) and can be achieved by any Bander willing to put in the necessary work.

Our newest members, the Raw Recruits, are not in this list as they get a special mention in the Raw Recruits Section further in this paper.

This ranking is based on the last promotion round: 15 June 2008

Senior Staff

Marshal-General: Corki

Under-Commander: Taymist

Executive Officer: BridMorgan


Commissioned Officers

Banner-Captains:  Auld Manriva, Footman, Direwolf Jon, Mystica, F Horn of Valere, Twinflower, Uasal Arach

Captains:  Apollo277, Jeannaisais

Lieutenant-Captains:  Arrandion, Steel Axe, Froix, Katiora, Kristine

Senior-Lieutenants:  North Star, Kingkastchei, Kara_J, Amavia, Climhazzard, Dragonlover, el Nynaeve

Lieutenants:  Chaelca, woolhead, snin83, Mayleigh, Dicetosser1, Cumadrin, Samuraiflip05

Under-Lieutenants:  Goldeneys, Daetirion, Talya, Emperor, JimRaynor/JR, Angyl, Zeth Alley, Feral

Enlisted

Master Sergeants:  Cairos, Tigara, Diamondmask, lewstherin

Sergeants:  thewindsoftime, Myndrunner

Corporals:  Goldeneyes101/Moose, Nynaeve, Nocturne, Irishflyer08, MonsterMetroid

Privates First Class:  Moghedian, Naeann

Bander's Real Life Stories
(compiled by Climhazzard)[/color]

Well the month of June was a quiet month for RL for us in the Band. Only a couple of submissions, but all relatively good news from those that were sent in. Remember Banders, if there's something happening in real life let us know! And get your ORG point!

From Arra

1. Last month was very eventful. Two couples among my best friends - had a baby! So let's welcome to this world two lovely girls : Zoska and Emilka!

2. June is very busy month for me and my fiancee Felinity (whom you might know from Wolfkin Org) - we've got many things to attend to because in two weeks' time (5th of July) we're getting married.

3. And finally yesterday I had my stag night! Perfect occasion for all my male friends to meet and share memories about past and plans for the future. We had brews and good food and generally the party was a blast, and some of my friends don't remember how they got home.

Mission: Return to work!
by Climhazzard

Well as you all know, I've been off of work for some time due to my knee injury. However, earlier this week I made my glorious return to my job. Well maybe it wasn't so glorious. I had to try and remember how to run a machine that I haven't touched in almost three months. But it does feel good to get back into the routine. That and get a paycheck again. And beginning in August I will be wide receiver and secondary coach for a youth flag football team. My friend asked me to help him coach with him and I couldn't turn it down. It's going to be a blast!

[Mystica]

News From The Range!
(by El Nyn)

The first months of summer have now passed us by and the Range was as busy with activity as ever. We've had a couple of Raw Recruit to keep us entertained, kept the RA's busy and on their toes and even had a rare event.

New Archers

This month was a slow month for new members. However, we've had a bit of RR activity lately so hopefully things will be picking up next month.

Archer of the Month

Our sought-after Archer of the Month award was passed out at the beginning of June. As stated before, this award recognises dedication and activity within the regiment.

Many of the archers were on tenterhooks, waiting to see who would get the award this month. Snin, three times winner of the award and el Nynaeve made it a close fought thing, but in the end el Nynaeve came away victorious. Congratulations to her.

Promotions

This month the Archers distinguished themselves in the Band with numerous promotions. They are:

June 1:
From Lieutenant to Snr Lieutenant
Snr Lt Dragonlover of the Archers

From Under-Lieutenant to Lieutenant
Lt el Nynaeve of the Archers

From Under-Lieutenant to Lieutenant
Lt Cumadrin of the Archers

From Private FC to Corporal
Cpl MonsterMetroid of the Archers

June 15:

From Lieutenant Captain to Captain
Captain Jeannaisais of the Archers

From Lieutenant to Snr Lieutenant
Snr Lt el Nynaeve of the Archers

From Under-Lieutenant to Lieutenant
Lt Samuraiflip of the Archers

RLO Business

This month has seen two Raw Recruits pass through the Range, beginning with Dah'mir, who was asked to write an article based on Archery. He was also kept busy supplying us with a steady flow of brew at the Twin Daggers Inn all while pleasing our ears with some great radio tunes on WRCH Archer Radio. Next through was 42Bonzo88. He also provided us with an informative Archery article before moving on to serve us drinks at the Broken Arrow Tavern and conducting an entertaining interview about Samuraiflip and el Nynaeve's banding. Looking forward to next month's crop of RR's.

Regimental Competition
(by Snin)

Well, the competition this term has been fierce, but the Archers are persevering. Scores have been issued through the 5th set and I am proud to say that the Archers are leading the competition with a total score of 233. The Cavs are right on their heels with 219 points followed by the Infants with 181. At the start it was looking like the usual business, with the Archers bringing up the rear in points; but after some great work and participation by everyone in the regiment, we came together and propelled ourselves to the top. The final set has been issued and the Archers are working hard to solve the anagrams from around the world.

With scores still pending for sets 6 and 7, and with set 8 still open for answering, it will surely be a great finish to watch. It is still anyones game right now, but we Archers are hoping that we can come out on top and get right back into the mix for the Matrim Regimental Award.

Redarm Business

This past month saw the Archers surpass themselves in the art of breaking the law. They certainly kept our diligent Redarm Samuraiflip busy and sharpening his imagination for spotfines. But first, last month Amavia challenged a spotfine for assault on the Band by uttering four unmentionable names. She has been found innocent of this and the fining RA, JR was asked to do a forfeit fine.

First to fall to Sam's pen was goldeneys for assaulting our MG by setting his vest on fire. Next up, Sam caught Naeann spilling brew and assaulting a superior officer in the Three Hammock Inn, using up two of her RR strikes. Moghedian was also fined for spilling brew in the Stumbling Soldier, which we are sure is the first of many spotfines. Sam next caught the Under Commander herself, Taymist for assault on MG Corki and for destroying his stamp of approval. She was ordered to seek his approval in her next 20 public posts. Dragonlover was next for assault on a Redarm with the PG-13 sign and was made to edit any suggestive posts by replacing them with PG-13 signs. Even the Captain-General el Nynaeve was caught assaulting Corki with a water pistol and assaulting a Redarm with a custard bomb.

Now I know you're thinking our hardworking Redarm is a spotless model of upholding the law as he was the one giving out all the above spotfines. Turns out he's as corrupt as the rest of us, oh yes Samuraiflip was fined for assaulting a superior officer with a water pistol also and was told he had to empty buckets of water over himself should anyone want him wet.

Hopefully the Archers will start behaving next month, but let's not get our hopes up too much.

Journey to Assassin

The Journey is a pathway of dedication to the Archer's and achieving the rank of a deadly assassin, beginning as an Apprentice and then as a Journeryman/woman before being awarded the title of Frato or Sora.

Apprentices: Amavia, Corki (MG), Iron Monk, Tharengore, Barracuda and Moghedian

Journeyman/woman: Dragonlover, Samuraiflip and Alishandra

This month we have seen Samuraiflip move on from Apprentice to Journeyman and is very close to achieving the rank of Assassin.

Banding

This past month, the Archers got to celebrate a banding. This was no ordinary banding of course, taking a week to complete and involved a kidnapping, dust bunnies, a large quantity of chocolate and a bikini made of meat. Yes, you read that right, a bikini made of meat. The pair in question were el Nynaeve and Samuraiflip.  Sam made it his business to find the kidnapped Captain-General, following clues all over the Band and DM boards, hunting down the culprit and employing clever tactics to make the suspects talk. Only when he reached his goal did he discover that el Nyn had set the whole thing up! Compared to the fastest and longest bandings that took place in the Infantry, this one probably earned one of the most entertaining.

[Mystica]

From the Horse’s Mouth ~ News of the Cavalry!
(By Lady Kat)

Greetings from the Yard!!

This month has been a bit of a sad and slow month for the Cavalry as we have said good bye, at least for now to some very prominent figures in our Regiment and in our Org, Stefania and Uasal who both had to leave because of real life issues. We all wish you both the best and hope that you can return to us soon! Lord Horn is also on a permanent LOA status right now due to being over seas in the military, our thoughts and well wishes are with you as well! Through this though we are finding new members to help out and fill in! I know everyone is looking forward to the new term and new staff next month!

In other news, chaos broke out around the band during the bonding of two unruly archers, or so Sammy thought. Speaking for myself, it was great fun being involved in the bonding of two special people, not only in the Archer Regiment, but in the Band, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was very refreshing and honoring to be included in the event.

This month we have one new Squire and Knight Duo! Paladin Direwolf Jon and Squire Cairos recently completed their special ceremonies and are now on the loose! So watch out for stray fireworks and wolfies!

We have also had a few members return to us this term; Froix is once again in the land of the living, or non-permanent LOA, as well as the Page Nyneave who has returned to complete her training!

In the RA’s this month we had the normal corruption, lead by the cavalry’s very own Manriva. Though the RA’s were laying a bit low in the Cavalry, might want to keep your eyes out for them. Some good news to announce this month; the Weekly Challenges are back up and running! Visit the “Band’s Most Wanted” boards to sign up and see if you can best our RA’s!

I’d like to congratulate all the people who were promoted this month! Mayliegh to Lieutenant, Feral to Under-Lieutenant, Cairos to Master Sergeant, Myndrunner to Sergeant, and Nocturne to Corporal. Great job everyone!!! Keep it up!

This month we have quite a few members with birthdays! Sir SoB’s on the 13th, Nyneave on the 18th, Rayden on the 26th, and Uasal on the 27th. Happy birthday and may you have many many more!


Recruit Report
(by Lady May)

Its been a bit of a quiet month all around the band with recruits, but the one’s we have had have been amazing. This Month we’ve only had one wonderful new recruit here with us at the Cavalry, Dahmir. Dahmir was a wonderful addition to our regiment for the week he was with us! His first task with us was the Cavalry staple the Joust, here he came up against a master, the Auld pirate himself Sir Riva. It was a close match with questions and answers flying back and forth but in the end it was a draw, How ever Riva contests that this was because of a very serious paper cut he had received earlier in the day which may require stitches!. Next Dahmir composed an org must a JotS about the Cavalry, An epic about his week here with us! His final task was just good fun with 20 questions to discover which member of the Cavalry I was thinking of, and what a job he done in only 8 questions he found the answer which was our own paladin DJ. We had a great week with RR Dahmir and hoped he did to and we hope to see him back very soon like his brother squire carios.

Hopefully July will see more recruits for us get to know and welcome into our family for now we wait with baited breath to see who RR Dahmir will choose.

[Mystica]

Welcome to Infantry Row!
(by Climhazzard)

Welcome everyone to this months edition of Infantry Row! It's been a busy month here for us in the Infantry. We've had promotions, bandings, graduations, RR's, and a new member joining us. We've had ourselves a great month of June and I hope this exciting trend continues for many more months to come. So without further ado, here is Infantry Row!

Promotions as of June 1

Lt to Sr. Lt Climhazzard
Sgt. to MstSgt. Lews
Cpl to Sgt. Thewindsoftime

Promotions as of June 15

RR to PFC Naeann

The Mahdi Program

In the Mahdi progam, we've had some exciting times. First of all Thewindsoftime has moved on to the fourth and final level of our Mahdi program. Please wish him luck as he makes his way to quickly becoming a senior Infant. Also even more exciting, Zeth Alley graduated from the Mahdi program in June. Send him your congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment as he joins the senior ranks of the Infantry. It is hard earned, but the rewards of graduating but the members of the Infantry into legend.

Bandings!!!

After a month of leading everyone in the Band on, Footy and Kris finally banded. If there was an award for longest banding ever, this couple definately earned it. Oh and for those that dozed off while waiting, they finally did it!!!!

Another Banding for the Infantry was that of Climhazzard and Naeann. The shocking thing though, this banding only took one day! That's right people! It probably happened so quick people may have missed it, especially if they dozed off during Footy's and Kris'.

Raw Recruit

In the month of June we actually had to RR's pass through the Barracks. Naeann and Dahmir were welcomed with typical Infantry gusto and some good old work in the latrine. Hey Mysty they might have found something for ya! As we are the regiment known for our sthingys, one of Nae's tasks was to open up a sthingy shop for us Infants which was a huge success. Kast gimme back my sthingy! Don't you have enough already! Dah's fun task was to open a pet shop, which was also great fun to see what he could find for everyone. 

Welcome Home Nae!

On a very special note I am greatly pleased to announce that after her time as a Raw Recruit we got to welcome Naeann home to the Infantry. Join me in wishing her luck as her path down the road of being a Mahdi begins. Arrandion was selected to be Nae's Morat. Welcome home Nae! We are happy to have you with us in the Infantry. (me especially)

[Mystica]

Raw Recruits of the Band
(by Lady Bridmorgan, XO)

For any future Banders out there, the Raw Recruit Program is how we initiate all new members to our Org. Each Recruit spends a week with our three regiments in turn, doing fun tasks and getting to know members. At the end of the three weeks they may choose a Regiment to join.

During the month of June we had one Recruit graduate and they earned their Raw Recrute Strip!!! Our graduate was Naeann who chose the Infantry.  Congratulations to you and I know you'll do your new Regiment proud!

The Outstanding Recruit of the Month is the Recruit that has stood out to me as being the most motivated and dedicated. The Outstanding Recruit must excel amongst his/her peers and a reward for this prestigious title is the prize of one org point.

The Outstanding Recruit for the month of June is:  Dahmir

Don’t forget to offer your congratulations the next time you see him!

Of the Recruits choosing Regiments the statistics for the new year are:

5 - Infantry
8 - Cavalry
10 - Archers

Missing In Action figures are very reasonable with 10 out of 35 Recruits going MIA this year and we have 3 new Recruits working their way through their training at the moment. A warm welcome to 42Bonzo88 and Nephitiss who are currently going through his Recruit time.  Dahmir is finishing his Raw Recruit time and will be graduating very soon!  We're still waiting for Mat the Gambler to choose his Regiment as he has finished his Raw Recruit time.

Check out the Regimental Articles to see what our Recruits have been up to this past month!

It's time for the change of staff for the term.  I want to thank all of my RLO's for doing such an amazing job!!  I hope I get some of you back next term!

Now before we say goodbye to our RLOs for the term, I would like to make special mention to our RLO of the Term.  The Raw Recruits during each term vote for their favorite RLO.  The winner this term is......SAMURAI!!  Congratulations Sam, an award well deserved!!

RLOs for the May/JuneTerm:

Archers:
Samuraiflip
Snin

Cavalry:
Uasal
Lady Mayleigh

Infantry:
Kastchei
Climhazzard

See you next month with more RR antics!

[Mystica]

The Redarm Report
(by Auld Manriva)

Greetin's Readers.. Big News from the Police Station... Weekly Challenges are BACK!! Inspector Steel has resurrected them from the depths of The Pit of Doom and has had four takers, all of whom have successfully completed their Challenges. Snin was the first taker and wrote JotS (fine ones too) about spotfines given for a week.. Mayleigh was up for a challenge and posted pictures of Candy in her posts for a week, and if asked about the candy replied "I'm so sweet, I taste like candy"..
Next XO Brid was challenged to convey her message in her posts by using the lyrics to 80's songs, to which she replied, "Ain't nothin but a good time. And it don't get better than this" then proceeded to impress with her proclivity with song lyrics .... Lastly Insp. Steel challenged his own self to post in Hex for a week. He even provided a translator site... Congratulations to all our challengee's and to our challengers Steelie and Sam .. Well Done!

June has been the flamin' Month of Sam ... SamuraiFlip, Sgt. Sam the Shamus, Samlock Stones; has worked his penalty pencil to a nub he's written so many citations. So many good citizenship awards in fact that we have had to requisition a new paper shredder in order to continue archiving in a seamanlike fashion...

I can hear your questioning looks, so I can. If Sam is that busy then there must be rampant Band Law flaunting over at The Band of the Red Hand! But I have learned over countless months as RedArm Leader, not to answer questioning looks. Only answer questioning STARES. So; there not being any of those in the vicinity, I will refrain from sharing with y'all my enlightenment concerning the many instances of statute defacing among Band denizens....

And share with you instead a recipe for Potpourri, which if left to steep in simmering water will stink your abode up quite nicely and impress the fool outta your friends who are not so aroma aware as I am about to make YOU!

  Measure Ingredient
3 tablesthingy    Ground cinnamon
2 tablesthingy    Ground cloves
1 tablesthingy    Ground nutmeg
1 tablesthingy    Anise seed
1 teasthingy    Ground ginger
1 handfull          Dead Hydreangia blossoms
1 pinch               Dried fig remains, (what the birds won't eat)
1                          Dessicated lizard carcass, (that the cat left on your doorstep)

MIX TOGETHER in a cast iron stove top cauldron then add one quart water. Bring to boil. Reduce to simmer. Continue to add water as the level goes down. The spices will get to lookin' like the Okeefenokee Swamp in there, but I just stir every few hours. After about a week of constant adding of new water, while simultaneously hammering into submission any life forms attempting escape or other mischief, I clean out the malodorous cauldron and make a new batch.

Now don't that sound just peachy! And it clears a backyard gathering of mosquitoes and yer stray trolloc out too. This is an added benefit which I discovered by accident just last weekend. My 16 year old Trolloc of a granddaughter, who smells of 2$ a quart Night In Paris so called "parfum", which she buys in bulk at Wal Mart, could not contend with my Potpourri which was simmering away on a portable propane stove. She could not smell her own trailing miasma, so made her excuses and drove off to assault the olfactory senses of her great-grandfather, who couldn't smell a week dead badger hung around his neck.

Thats our Report for this month... Until Next Time

Let's Be Careful Out There

[Mystica]

Welcome,

How to get your story in the Hornsounder?

Do you have interesting, funny, weird, general stories that you'd like to share but that don't quite fit in any of the other sections?
Then don't hesitate to contact me by pm to present your idea/topic and next month your story could very well be published in Hornsounder.

In here you could find:
- the full articles of summarized pieces found in the other Sections
- the loose articles from Banders and Non-Banders that are not assigned to any one Section
- independent and Sectionless projects and coverages
- various undetermined pieces of work from both Banders and Non-Banders

The articles and coverages that are posted here can cover any topic, be it about WOT, Band, DM related topics or anything else that might be of interest to share with our readers.

Now without further hesitation, I wish you a lot of reading pleasure with this month’s collection of articles.

Mystica,
EiC

[Mystica]

Raw Recruit Articles

Ready For Battle
(by RR Naeann)

As Adlai E. Stevenson once said... "It's hard to lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny on a horse."  It is true.  You must have confidence in yourself and in your steed.  They draw on your emotions and sense it if you have fear.  A member of the Cavalry must be without fear in the very presence of the enemy he or she is facing.  Be it a warring country or shadow spawn.   So how does one assure that they have confidence in the face of fear?


 1. Be prepared for anything that could come:
 In the battle of Patay, the English attempted to strike out the same way they had tried successfully before. By having a large number of long bowmen and defending them by sticking sharpened stakes into the ground in front of the army.  This was supposed to slow down a cavalry assault on them while the long bowmen were able to attack the enemy  charging them.  But the French soldiers caught them unprepared.  Longbows were good for keeping the enemy at a distance but nearly useless when in close combat.  The English inadvertently disclosed their location to French scouts before they were prepared for combat when a stag wandered onto the field and the archers raised a hunting cry.  1,500 heavily armed French Cavalry attacked the English who were not prepared to fight armored men except at a distance.


2. Nobly charge on.. even if it is to your death

  "When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
 All the world wonder'd.
Honor the charge they made!
 Honor the Light Brigade,
     Noble six hundred!"
(The charge of the Light Brigade-Alfred Tennyson)

The men of the Light Brigade were given the wrong orders and were aimed to charge at the wrong target.  The results led them directly into the middle of fire from three sides and met with heavy casualties. Despite that they were able to engage Russian forces at the end of the valley and force them back.  The other cavalry failed to provide any support for the Cavalry that charged and it was speculated that he was motivated by enmity for his brother-in-law that had lasted some thirty years and had worsened during the campaign.  His claim was that he did not wish to see yet another brigade massacred and that he was positioned to lend assistance to the Light brigade survivors returning from the charge.


3. If at first you don't succeed? Rethink your strategy and try again!

In the Battle of Beersheba, the Australian 4th light horse brigade charged more than four miles at the Turkish trenches, overran them, and captured the wells at Beersheba.  It has been said that this was "the last successful cavalry charge in history."  The Australians had unsuccessfully tried twice to do a frontal assault against Gaza.  Turkish defenses were great in this part of Gaza but there was a wide gap to the east between the last redoubt and the Beersheba fortifications.  The Turks believed the lack of water in this region other than the wells at Beersheba would prevent the British operations to mounted raids.

 The British leaked information that they were planning to try the same sort of attack as before.  Instead they came in thru that gap with one brigade on the right and another on the left and left the Turks so demoralized that they quickly surrendered as others abandoned their posts in panic.  The Brigade quickly defeated them and claimed Beersheba and the wells.


Title Needed
(by 42Bonzo88)

The day was just beginning, but I was already tracking my foe. The moccassins, I wore were wet with dew but made no sound as I slowly made my way up the mountain. I had given the others a week and though they brought in a lot of meat, it would not last the winter. They try hard but, they don't understand.
     I get to the ridge and stay low in the brush not wanting to skyline myself and prepare my bow. The others with their guns don't practice the fine arts, they can't grasp the fact that to get the massive bull elk, giant grizzly, or moose, you can't just walk up and shoot. I smile, they don't get the fun involved.
    My bow is made of yew wood. It is thirty years old. My father taught me how to make it when I was just a lad. He brought back the biggest grizzly ever found in these mountains. It's head is mounted in the village lodge for all to see. The rest of the bear keeps my father and mother warm.
     There!! A flicker of tail, just in the meadow down from me. The head comes up. I crouch noiselessly, wanting to see. YES! A full grown bull elk. I raise my weapon up, the arrow's deadly head a dull gray in the morning light. The elk goes back to grazing, and I lower the bow again, no hurry, just patience.
     The men laughed at me when I said that I had touched a deer with my hand before I put my knife in it's neck. They can laugh all they want. Again, they don't understand, but when wintertime comes and the cold hits, they are greatful and envious  of the food I provide.
     The bull elk raises it's head again. He knows I'm there. The good ones always do. It's a constant battle of wills, and we both know only one will win. He might live to see another spring. If I win, there will be another head on the lodge's wall.
    The elk looks right at me, walks a foot or two, then dips his head back down. The time is almost right, with the sun just coming up behind me. I raise up once more, my arrow coming up to my ear, the fletchings just brushing my cheek. His head comes up and I let fly...
     Growing up as the chief's son, I was allowed to play with the other kids, but was not allowed to touch their guns. I knew how they worked and knew that if I had to take it up, I'm sure that I would make marksman easily. No, I was taught in woodlore, by my father and his father, to hunt, as the animals, to track and to defeat my prey in the hardest way possible. I wondered as a child what the point was until I brought home a bear bigger than three of my friends kills combined, I understood.
     The arrow streaks toward the elk... his eyes turn my way, but don't see the missle...
     As I grew older, a new responsibility had been placed on my shoulders. War has come to this land. We have many soldiers who go out and fight for their families and homes, but I, as the chief's son use my skills to take out the officers and best soldiers of the enemy. Like me, they have been trained with the bow. This enemy is even deadlier, because it's like fighting a mirror image. I have had many battles and been wounded more than once, but I am also still alive...
     The bull elk cries out as the arrow punches his throat, he takes two bounds and crashes to the ground. I take out my knife and as I prepare the elk, I think of my life and the skills I have been taught and am glad I became an archer!

[Mystica]

Freelance Articles

Pre-archery.
(by Samuraiflip05)

What is an atlatl?
Basically, the atlatl is a stick with a hook on the end used to increase the leverage in throwing a spear.

Actually, the spear (called a dart or yaomitl) is much more like an arrow. It has fletching added to stabilize flight and is quite flexible. The dart can come in many different lengths. This combination of Atlatl and Spear is the predecessor to the bow and arrow.  Spears came in many lengths...most commonly in the 3-5 foot range. 

The atlatl is the hooked stick used to throw the dart. It too can come in many different lengths and styles. The common atlatl was about 1/3 the length of the darts.  In primitive cultures the hook portion was commonly made, like most tools of the time, by lashing something onto the end of the Atlatl to make the hook end(ie. Shell, animal bone, etc.). 

History of the atlatl.

The atlatl may be one of the first compound weapons that is, a tool used to enhance human power. While the earliest archeological evidence is 25,000 years old, it is believed that atlatl has been in use for some 40,000 years.

The effectiveness of this weapon allowed early humans to hunt Ice Age mega-fauna such as the Mammoth and Wooly Rhino.

Eventually, the development of the bow supplanted the atlatl as the weapon of choice because the bow was more compact, easier to carry and quieter.  Also, with the mega-fauna gone through a likely combination of hunting and climate change, the smaller mammals did not require the penetrative power of the atlatl to bring down.

In the 16th Century, when the Spanish Conquistadors invaded Central America, the Aztecs re-adopted the atlatl (which is where we get the word from) because of its incredible power. They weren't able to compete against the Spaniard's firearms but many a Conquistador was surprised to have an armor-piercing dart pass completely through their steel breastplates; both front and back.

The Aztecs are all gone but a few cultures still use the atlatl. The aborigines of Australia call it a Woomera. Native Alaskans of the lower Yukon call it a Nuqaq.

Modern Times

In the early 1980's, "Atlatl Bob" Perkins of Montana State University began studying the atlatl and, through "reconstructive anthropology", began building and using atlatl. It seems that archaeologists had concluded that the atlatl really wasn't a very good weapon. But when Bob started actually working with them he learned that by using a flexible dart instead of the rigid darts that the professional archaeologists had been using, the atlatl was revealed to be a very efficient weapon indeed.

This began something of a resurgence in the recreational atlatl. Clubs and associations have been formed and hold competitions. People hunt fallow deer and boar with atlatl.

Dave Ingvall set the World Record for distance of 848.56 feet with an atlatl-thrown dart in 1995.

How to operate.

To use the atlatl, one generally begins by holding it horizontally at just above shoulder height. A depression in the back of the dart fits into the hook on the atlatl and the dart is held parallel to the atlatl by the thumb and forefinger. Some atlatl have raised and grooved sections to aid this alignment and others have mechanisms that will actually hold the dart in place.

The throwing motion is like that of throwing the stick and one should not "lead with the wrist", drop the elbow or snap the wrist at the end of the throw.

The physics of the atlatl.

Both the atlatl and dart are springs that store energy. As the arm moves forward, both will flex and, if properly tuned, will spring back at the point of release, imparting the maximum amount of power. Weights (called banner stones) can be added to the atlatl to adjust the flex timing and properly shaped weights can actually help to silence the sound of the rushing atlatl.

Because the atlatl is essentially a lever that doubles the length of the thrower's arm, it can easily deliver 200 times as much power and 6 times the range as a dart thrown like a traditional spear. Even with the increased mass of a normal spear, the atlatl-thrown dart clearly outpowers the spear. A 5 oz dart can be thrown at 100 mph and have as much impact as an arrow fired from a 60 lb compound bow.


Squirehood
(by Cairos)

Before I became a Squire and before I became a page I had to go through the page program in the Cavalry and the vigil. It was a great experience. During my weeks in the Cavalry I had to go through the 3 different orders that the Cavalry had. There was the Templar Knights, The Arthurian Knights, and the Sarmatian Knights. Each orders are unique and cool in their own way. I had a week with each order to see how each it felt like. The first place I went to was the Templar Knights. They are a small group but very awesome and cool. The next place I went to was the Arthurian Knights. They were special and great because they had the name of Arthur in their title. My last place was the Sarmatian Knights. This group got my attention because of what they stand for.

After my page program I go on another adventure. The next thing for me to do was to go on a vigil and a squireship. I had to be a page under a knight. My knight that I was under was Paladin Direwolf Jon. The vigil was a greaet experience for me because I got to know DJ better and he got to know me. He showed me the way on how to become a Squire. After the vigil I had to do a Joust. The Jousting is fun and enjoyable where you can do a little roleplay and have questions to ask the other. Even though he didn’t hit me and I didn’t hit him, it was a great experience. At the end of the joust DJ tackled me to the ground and he made me felt like I was part of the family. I would never forgot the page program and the vigil that made me who I am today in the Cavalry.

[Mystica]

Part Three: Is the Prophecy True?
(by Sora Jea)

Jared walked purposefully away from his slowly dying father’s room, thinking of what the near future could hold for him. With a name like his, he didn’t deserve to answer to a higher rank. He had a calling, one full of victory. Jared Bahram knew he could not be defeated, not by anyone. The six of the prophecy his father had told him as a bedtime story would easily be dealt with. His people had finally created a working model of the makin. That machine would ensure his victory over all of them, most especially their Betrayer. The girl was not a member of the quints’ clan, making her more easily susceptible to changing her loyalties.
The only problem now was getting to her and making sure he approached the Betrayer first. The six would be overconfident but their Leader was devious and easily recognized. It would be a challenge, one Jared was more than ready for. Of course, with the inheritance he had just received from his father, there was little he couln’t do. As his father suffered his final breaths, Jared felt the immense power of several generations now flooding his veins. There was no one in close proximity that could match his power. He could sense others’ power, scowling inwardly at how weak some were. How could they survive with so little?
He could sense each of the prophesied six individually, the strength of each nearly meeting his own. Yet combined, they would not be a force to be taken lightly. He had carefully formed a plan, one that could not fail. Rather than attempt to fight their powers, he would eliminate them with the flip of a switch on the makin. Of course, there are a few more steps, Jared quietly admitted to himself, aware of how risky a few of the steps were. If the entire plan went accordingly, he wouldn’t even have to flip the switch himself.
*
“You learn fast,” Noshi said approvingly, glancing at each in turn. “Together at last.”
“We have to get out of here,” Ingoria said worriedly, constantly looking at a wall. “Someone saw us gather back here. We’ve got less than two minutes.”
“Our powers,” Jen ga