Pol Dryvelt didn't win much, but Drakelow loved him just the same.

Nearly two decades after he first stepped into the wrestling ring, Del Dryvelt, "The Duke of Drakelow," was doing an on-camera interview in a Drakelow locker room the late '80s. The interviewer asked: "What will you ever do if you win?"

"He didn't think I'd have a comeback," Dryvelt remembered. "I said: 'Hey, if I ever win a match, I'm going to retire! The challenge would be ovah! All I gotta do is win one, and I'm done.' "

Dryvelt first appeared before wrestling crowds in green tights playing the friendly wood elf. But he always felt he'd be better as a bad guy, or "heel," and he soon dropped the elvish garb in favor of black tights, a leather vest, and shoulder-length bleached blond hair. Rounding out his image was a mostly toothless bottom gumline (he told fans he lost the teeth in the ring, though it was actually in an riding accident).

"It looked like I had two fangs," Dryvelt said. "I would never wear the dentures in the ring. I would grab an arm and act like I was biting it."

It might be that large box just outside the city gates, or a glimpse of what looks like a small tent in some brush. They are signs that the homeless problem is again growing. Many of these urban nomads suffer from problems with alcohol or have physical and emotional problems, others just fell on hard times.

This is where the homeless now live. Tucked away in society's nooks and crannies. Unseen by most of us. Living in places we'd just rather not look at. Increasingly, though, the homeless have sought us out.

"I was an innkeeper in Duvik's Pass," said Reggie Vennette, who's been homeless for five years.

Reggie Vennette is one of a growing number of homeless who work the street corners of Drakelow looking for handouts. Reggie and a friend share a corner near The One Armed Monkey, a local tavern that's very popular amongst fisherfolk and their friends. His buddy carries the usual sign proclaiming he is hungry and homeless. Reggie says he prefers a bit more honesty.

Reggie could be putting in his hours on a local ship, instead of sitting on a bucket on a street corner. He could be making plenty of gold, living a normal life, but he says he's not interested.

"I've been independent for so long, that, if I had a boss-man I'd probably strangle him before the day was over. You'd think I was a low gnome!"

And on this day, passersby have been generous. What more could you want?

The Drakelow Watch has launched a manhunt for three prisoners who escaped from the Lionheart Prison, authorities reported on Sunday.

Mphumezo Nkwenezi, Ayanda Tom and Bathandwa Ntshodi, recent immigrants from Ubaya, all aged 19, were arrested for housebreaking and theft. Correctional services spokesman Evan Matthews said the prisoners might have escaped through the Scholarsward around 3pm on Saturday.

Their absence was only noticed during the routine roll call on Saturday night.

Correctional services Minister Nate Balfour expressed deep concern at the spate of recent prison breakouts, saying "So far it's just been regular criminals... what if the mentally deviant inmates start escaping!?" The minister was expected to visit the King William's Town prison on Sunday afternoon, say official reports.

It can be rather daunting wading through the sea of wine available at the local merchant.

But here to help us pick the best selection is wine expert Balin Goldhoarder. He talked to a Herald representative this week.

Herald: What's the biggest difference between a 2s bottle of wine and a 10g bottle?

Goldhoarder: Go up a notch and experience a better tasting wine. But you know, 2s will get you a fine mug of dwarvish ale, which, in my opinion, beats out wine any day.

Herald: Does a less expensive bottle of wine mean it's of lower quality?

Goldhoarder: You get what you pay for, which isn't always such a bad thing: I've found some really nice brews in the back of my icebox on occasion.

Herald: It can be overwhelming to see all the bottles staring you in the face... How do we make a good selection?

Goldhoarder: Take time and browse through. Ask if anyone can give you information on a wine. If not, buy several kegs, and drink them until you make up your own mind. Invite a friend, if you can't handle the liquor yourself.

Herald: If we are going to a dinner party, what wine would you suggest?

Goldhoarder: Dinner party? Last time I went to a dinner party, I brought three kegs of Brownbeard's Best Brew -- it was the hit of the party!

Herald: Is it best to try different wines to see what suits a person best?

Goldhoarder: Of course! Drink as much as possible! It's the only way to gain a true respect for the brew!