The Hornsounder - Volume 1, Edition 1 (July 2005)

Welcome to the latest edition of the Hornsounder, the Newsletter of The Band of the Red Hand, an ORG at DM. This is the first OFFICIAL edition of the Hornsounder, so lets crack open some Brews and let the celebrations begin!

Local Tavern Destroyed when Renagade Releases an Explosion of Gas
By Cameronski, Captain-General of the Infantry

Not too long ago, the Stumbling Soldier II collapsed when an EXTREMELY drunk member of the Band (lets keep this anonymous) belched loud enough to be heard in Shara. Luckily no one was hurt by the crumbling tavern.
Why was this Band member trying so hard to burp loudly? It was a contest called by...well lets say Razz... for the loudest burp. The good news is that the tavern-wrecker DID win the contest, showing that I am the ULTIMATE BURPER!
The punishment of the renagade is still being determined, but we are looking forward to it, as it will be a JotS verse about Little Bunny Poo Poo...or something like that, I'm not 100% sure yet.
When we asked what people thought about the incident, we got these types of answers:
"More power to the guy!"
"Off with his head!"
"Wha!?"
We also got an angry message from the Seafolk. It seems that the burp caused a tsunami that has wiped out half the populaiton of the seafold, as well as Mayne and a part of Illian.
We will update this with the details of the punishment when it has been determined.

All Change!!!
By Corki, the Marshal-General

Over the last couple of weeks, a proposition was put forward by Corki, the Marshal-General of the Band, for a change in the rank structure of the Band. He felt that we needed to be more like the BotRH in the WoT books with our ranks. This was the case concerning the rank of Colour Sergeant, which doesn't exist in the WoT series at all! Therefore, the following rank structure was put forward:

- Recruit
- Private
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Lieutenant-Captain
- Banner-Captain (Commisioned Officer Rank - temporary)
- Captain-General (Commisioned Officer Rank - temporary)
- Liaison Officer (Commissioned Officer Rank - permanent)
- Under-Commander (Commisioned Officer Rank - permanent)
- Marshal-General (Commisioned Officer Rank - permanent & ORG Leader)

Everybody agreed to the change in rank structure, saying that we should be more like the BotRH in the books. However, the main point up for discussion was the points system. Two different options were put up, and Band members voted on them. After 16 votes, Option 2 won 11 votes to 5. Here is the new points system that was voted in:

- From private to corporal, it is 5 points.
- From corporal to sergeant, it is 5 points (therefore 10 points overall)
- From sergeant to lieutenant, it is 10 points, making an overall total of 20 points.
- From lieutenant to captain, it is 15 points, making an overall total of 35 points.
- From captain to lieutenant-captain, it is 20 points, making an overall total of 55 points.

Now, extra ways to earn points have been added as well. These include points earnt through recruiting for the Band, and also articles supplied to the Hornsounder, the newsletter.

The changes have already been brought in, with several members changing ranks. Now, we just need to come up with divisional names for the new ranks, and get people moving up those ranks!

Time for fun?
By Canis Rufus, Captain of the Cavalry

Recant threads started by BeastMasterJ (BMJ) have invited recent Band members to face off in a battle royal of flash games. Last month's first attempt was "Castle" but the game soon proved lacking in diffucalty as BMJ soon spanked the game so bad the he could let it run on its own. There is speculation that this month's game may be a bit more challenging but nothing is currently set in stone.
- In relating news the Chess thread has seemed to come to a ginding halt. Be the format to complex or the in set of summer eating into peoples time it appears that all games have halted.
- The Battle ship tournament is still going strong for all divisions. Please remember to root for your favorite "sailor"
- New to the complilation of games is checkers. If interested please see rules in the Checkers thread.
- The word game is now on its third leg and quickly approching its fourth who knows how long this will last.

The much debated skills game is still in the works. Recent word has it that the old web site (the one before Cumadrin's) will be hosting it. The only thing left is the final touches on the dice program. With luck we should be playing this soon.

Please Welcome The New Captain-Generals!!!
By Corki, the Marshal-General

After having the current Captain-Generals for each division in place since we had enough members for this concept to work, it seemed right to have a change at the top. A new system to choose the Captain-Generals was brought in, and this was the first time it was used. It was the fairest way, as it allowed those who wanted the job to apply.

Therefore, those who were interested in being the divisional Captain-General had a thread to post their application. Usually, there will be a vote for each division on who they want as their Captain-General after each candidate had posted their aims for the next two months. However, for this election, we had one applicant per division, so no vote was necessary. Below are the Captain-Generals for the next two months:

- North Star continues her duties as Captain-General for the Archers
- Razz has taken over from Canis in the Cavalry, who has stood down to allow fresh ideas to come in and to concentrate on getting the Game ready and working on the Hornsounder
- Cam fills the position for the Infantry, after Mushuganna stepped down to concentrate on his music

I wish each Captain-General the best of luck for the tenure in their position. Please check after this article for the main three aims of each Captain-General.

The Aims of the Captain-Generals
Written by the Three Captain-Generals

Cavalry By Razz

As the new Captain General of the Calvary, I've been asked to write a few words to brief you all of my intentions during my service.
First, I would like to thank our previous Captain General, Canis Rufus, as he was an excellent teacher while I served him as Banner Captain.
Secondly, I would like to thank all of the Band as a whole because you all are what makes this so much fun!
During my months of service, I plan on getting some threads up on the research of warhorses. What breeds were used and from what countries. There is definitely a huge difference between a warhorse and just a regular quarter horse and whatnot. I would also like to post up discussions of all breeds as well to provide some overall knowledge since Cavalrymen spend most of their time on horses!
Also, I plan to get to know each and every Cavalry member and to keep up an active relationship with them all. I will do my best to encourage and entertain you into staying active!
I am currently still working on my plan for recruiting new members. Of course, this will need active participation from all Calvary members, but I would like to get a huge drive going to just get new members to the Band period...whether they be Archer, Cavalry or Infantry.
Thanks guys and I look forward to having this role for the next few months!

Archers By North Star

The archers top three priorities this month are:
- to complete our intiation plans and round up a few new archers to get the scheme running
- a punishment thread, which we all need to plan, vote on a name for, and have a volenteer to run it! hopefully this wil be alot of fun, as we also need to decide on the punishments!!! *evil grin*
- to continue and hopefully start on the Archers Project, which we were discussing last month. Hopefully we can get that show on the road, with small bits, all going towards a whole. This should also speed many archers on their way to a promotion!! We shall all be captains in no time!! *grins*

Infantry By Cameronski

Ok, here is some infantry stuff that I am obligated to complete as I am now the Captian General of the Infantry.
1. Recruitment - We always try to be there first to capture new recruits to the band, but sadly not many join the infantry. We are trying to get more members, but sadly they think that pretty horsies and twigs with strings are more important...but its ok, cuz we have the toughest sector and all the people are just scared of the hard work
2. Games - We, at the Infantry, dont really play games. We prefer not to waste our time on pointless crap that doesnt do anything. Instead, we like to get wasted...good and wasted The only game we participated in is the JOS contest...i think, the last few years are kinda fuzzy from all the brew...
3. Deciding the motto

Divisional news
Written by the Previous Captain-Generals

Cavalry By Canis Rufus

The last month of the cavalry has been a good one. With recent construction done on the Stables, all no-gooders will now be sentenced to them for punishment. Enrollment maintained consistant and moral over all seems high. There is currently a debate over greatest movie and worst movie. Departing this month will be Canis Rufus, the Commander of the Cavalry. Razzy is stepping up to take his place. Good luck Razzy. Canis will be moving on to work on the Hornsounder but plans to stay a strong supporting member of the cavalry for Razzy.

Infantry By Mushuganna

This month in the Infantry Boards, things were pretty relaxed. There was some drinking, more drinking, a little partying, and some groping. They have begun choosing a motto, but haven't gotten very far. Well, that's about all.

Archers By North Star

A lot has happened in the Archers over the last month!! We have had three new archers join in June, who are Cuchullian, Dice_Master (Griffon) and MalkierKing! Welcome to all of you, yet we are still waiting to see Cuchullian and MalkierKing on the private boards! Griffon has also completed his intiation and is now a full member of the archers. Congratulations to him once again! Our month of recruiting was sucessful, as many new memebrs joined all the divisions. We all hope that the Infantry will have as much, if not more sucess as we have.
The Archers also have an idea for a project, which we are hoping to develop further over the next two months. The are other things planned as well, including a motto.
The end of June saw the reinstatment of North Star as Captain-General of the Archers, and she has yet to annouce her Banner-Captain.

Removing Cat/Dog Hairs
By Razz, Captain-General of the Cavalry

Since all of us Band members seem to have a cat or two, I thought this might be practical.

Unsightly animal hairs around the house can be a bit of a problem. One thing you can do is buy a dedicated cat/dog hair remover - it's basically a roller with sticky paper wrapped round it, sticky side out. However, a much cheaper alternative is to just wrap sticky tape around your hand (sticky side out) and press on to the 'hairy' area to remove the hairs. Easy-peasy, but the roller seems to work best.

Failing that, you could always dye the offending animal to match the colour of your upholstery. That way, no one will notice the animal hairs, though there's no guaranteeing they won't pass comment on the paisley patterned dog. (this is really great - my friend and I once dyed her chiwaua purple!!)

Another suggestion is vacuuming at least twice a week. Vacuum the whole room and conduct visual searches at the same time. If the carpets aren't tacked down to the floor, you must also vacuum underneath the carpets - both the floor and the underside of the carpets. Don't forget the upholstery - make sure and remove all the cushions and vacuum all sides of them, too. Don't just pass over the area once, it doesn't all get picked up the first time. In fact, the fine downy underhairs of black cats, don't show up even on light coloured carpets and it's especially important that these are dealt with as they are responsible for much of the discomfort that allergy/asthma sufferers have to put up with.

Cat hair actually forms a ball at the head of the vacuum cleaner and you have to pull it off and then let it pop down the tube quite often (at least every minute). If you know of any places where the animals especially like to rest, make sure you do that region at least three times. For cats, you know you've gotten it all when you no longer have hairballs forming on your vacuum head. If your animals are making the room smell, sprinkle baking soda over the smelly surfaces; let it rest for at least 15 minutes and then vacuum again.

And as for clothes, here are some prevention tips:

Keep your clothes in closed closets and drawers - don't leave them out at all. Not for a moment. Of course, once you've gotten your clothes on, your pet will want to hug you and there go your best laid plans.

Don't leave a folded guest towel just lying on the bathroom counter. A guest will reach for the towel without realising the cat loves to sit on it and then end up with a hair-covered face. Not funny. Actually, thinking about it, this is funny. Very funny.

So, that is the first edition of the Hornsounder! Below are some of the reviews!

"Talking to your self?" 12th Regiment, Private of the Infantry
"Great articles!! This is hilarious!" Conning Officer, Private of the Cavalry

Look out for more articles in the August Edition of the Hornsounder!

Canis Rufus
Editor of the Hornsounder