November 597

The News of November, 597

Around Dyllaria

Stonegate Keep:

The last word from several people who escaped the besieged castle is that the outlook was extremely grim. Reportedly the outer wall had been breached and the Army of Stonegate was forced to fall back and defend the inner walls of the Palace against the horde of attackers. Reports on the nature of the attacking force have ranged from Goblins and Barbarians to Dragon Riders.

Torrent:

This small lumbering community has been set upon by bands of Ogres and Orcs. The town garrison is inadequate and ever shrinking due to casualties and desertion. They have asked Stonegate for assistance but have yet to receive any word.

Aelin:

With the siege of Stonegate the town of Aelin was deserted by its usual standing regiment. A few days ago Erlunn Elven envoys from the North Wood entered the town to speak with High Merchant Guthenor and they have been in private council since that time.

Galavast:

Guild member Dinen Davere has traveled as far north as River’s End to try and put together an army to aid Stonegate. He has met with mixed success. Lord Arianus has supported Dinen’s efforts, but has ordered his sheriff, Lord Chancellor, Lieutenants, and Sir Anselm Poleho to remain in Galavast for the protection of his people.

Free City of Mythamber:

The High Council has declared a state of emergency and all trade caravans are searched and no one who is of Orc, Barbarian, or Minotaur blood are permitted within the walls of the Old City. Lord High General Seth Farrius has doubled the watch throughout the town and a strict curfew has been enforced.

Lumberton Shire:

Artemis Silvertree has been sent to help run the town and to inform Field Marshal Urik that Lady Morgan is missing and that the town’s defense is his sole responsibility. Sir Flint is still the judicial head of the town, but Artemis will advise him and act in his absence.

Dollos:

This sleepy little town continues to conduct business, but Lord Trader Cyras Ashington has personally addressed the town garrison in ordered them to ready themselves for war.

Rumors At River’s End:

Lord Oakmoore is going to remove Lord Coalbaron from River’s End.

Lord Fooz is a Doppleganger.

Dragunda is an ancient being who casts odd magic.

A force of Trolls and Orcs are amassing north of the town.

Olos has joined forces with The Overlord.

A secret and ancient treasure belonging to Lord Negeon has not yet been found.

Captain Morpheus never sleeps.

The Order of the Raven is planning the takeover of several other Dyllarian Lordships.

Sheriff Gili Rockcrusher and his men are the only good people in Lord Fooz’s hierarchy.

Laws of River’s End

Anyone witnessing a crime or having knowledge of a crime should report it to the Sheriff or Watch member. If requested by the Lord or Magistrate, the witness will accompany the Sheriff to the trial.

The accused has no right to confront his or her accuser(s). If the Lord or Magistrate believes the accusations of the accuser(s), then for the witness’ protection, their identities will be kept secret.

These are the base penalties. They may increase or decrease depending on the situation. Crimes against town officials will be considered as multiple offenses. Attempting to commit a crime and aiding a criminal are punishable as if the crime was committed by the offender.

Crimes:

Assault

First Offense- ten lashes, fifty copper fine.

Second Offense- twenty lashes, 100 copper fine.

Third Offense- thirty lashes, 150 copper fine.

Fourth and Subsequent Offenses- death and loss of all worldly goods.

Assault includes: spell attacks, gypsy curses, and introducing an alchemical substance into a persons blood.

Burglary/Thieving

First Offense- loss of a hand and all worldly goods.

Second and Subsequent Offenses- loss of both hands and all worldly goods.

Kidnaping

First and Subsequent Offenses- death

Murder

First and Second Offenses- death, loss of all worldly goods.

Third and Subsequent Offenses- Obliteration and loss of all worldly.

Necromancy

First and Subsequent Offenses- death and loss of all worldly goods.

Slavery

First and Subsequent offenses- death and loss of all worldly goods.

Treasons/Conspiracy

First and Subsequent Offenses- Obliteration and banishment.

Casting a formal ritual without a permit

First Offense- fifty copper fine, loss of all components.

Second and Subsequent Offenses- 100 copper fine, loss of all components, and formal scrolls.

Special Laws:

1. Anyone selling goods must have a permit to sell them. This includes any non-guild caster selling protectives. See Lord Coalbaron or Magistrate Achee.

2. Rock Trolls, Drae, and Sarr are considered visitors to the town and are to be treated as such.

3. Any woodland creature that is encountered alone should not be attacked unless it attacks you. If such a creature is discovered in a trap or wounded the animal should be bound and held and a member of the watch should be notified.

Letters

Captain Morpheus,

Who bequeathed the judgmental right to you to scorn, belittle, or sentence to shame those who have pledged an oath to the Chaos Lord Vinlar? It may be beyond your limited abilities to comprehend the reasoning behind my actions; however, let me explain it to you simply. Firstly, those that would not pledge needed healed; I healed them. Secondly, many people needed to be resurrected when no others were alive to do so; I resurrected them. Thirdly, the destruction of the circle had to be prevented; I prevented that destruction. And finally, the Chaos Lord needed to be addressed to gain knowledge from him; I addressed him as no others were courageous enough to do it. What better way to gain knowledge of our enemy than to speak to him directly?

I have a strong will to survive; yet, I have an overpowering desire to save others at the risk of endangering myself. Does this deserve public persecution and ostracism?

I now demand a heartfelt apology for the improper and ignorant treatment I received. If I do not receive an expedient and suitable apology when I return, you would do well to keep a vast distance between you and I for the remainder of your existence. You have greatly upset me and these wounds do not heal quickly.

Heed my warning,

Estashya

P.S. Morpheus please remember that without me in River’s End’s Earth Circle you would not have had protectives when you returned to battle. Also, you may have valiantly died fighting the Chaos Lord but what did you accomplish besides alienating and insulting at least one (perhaps more) powerful ally.

P.P.S. For those of you who feel the same as Morpheus it would be wise not to discuss this matter with or near me lest my deep feelings on this matter cause me to lash out.

Any honest fighter who wishes for glory, great riches, and excitement should come to Galavast and join the Fighter’s Guild. Some of the best fighters have already joined to teach others and sharpen their own skills as well. I will also be observing each and everyone of you for a possible chance of becoming a knight. The guild also provides you with armor and weapons, possibly silvered weapons. Situations often become very dangerous and deadly, but Galavast houses the finest healers around. The fee for the guild is only a mere fifty copper, but remember that all weapons, armor, and teachings are included. If you are a brave and courageous warrior, then now is the time to prove it!

I would think that anyone who hoped to be the next Lord of River’s End would attempt to get along with the other people in town. After all the Lords of River’s End don’t exactly have a long life expectancy anyway. If you continue to antagonize people, you could wind up being the next deceased Lord. No one is immortal.

Anyone who is interested in learning Celestial magic should come to the town of Galavast. I have recently been appointed Celestial Guildmaster and I am accepting interested people into the guild. The fee is 100 copper a year. This fee entitles you to be taught, use of several workshops, free identification of items, and access to many book and formal scrolls. Your duties as a guild member will be the collection and harvesting of formal components. These are to turned over to the guild to be distributed when needed. There will also be other tasks, although sometimes mundane, to be performed. I will be doing some traveling in the coming months to gather information and to aid those who are mounting a defense against the evil horde that is rampaging across Dyllaria. The easiest way to contact me will be to find me in Galavast around the month of April. I hope to see many interested people there. Also, any scrollmakers, no matter how skilled, should come to sell their goods in Galavast. While there you will be given access to the scroll making workshop under the condition that scrolls produced will be sold to myself or another representative of the guild. Top prices will be payed.

The town of Galavast is looking for Armorsmiths and Weaponsmiths to supply the Fighter’s Guild with their wares. An Armorsmith Workshop is already set up, and is being run by only one Dwarf. Obviously, he cannot supply the Fighter’s Guild with armor all by himself. If any Weaponsmiths are serious then a work shop will be bought for them as well. We will pay reasonable copper for the wares. We assure you that you will make money and be under the protection of the Fighter’s Guild. Thank you.

All other initiates are invalid due to the following conditions: 1.) You must be sponsored by a full member in order to become an initiate; 2.) You may not simultaneously hold a landed noble title and be an initiate. All others should please contact me about regaining their initiate status. Until then, no one not on this list should wear ribbons or otherwise pretend in any way that they are initiates.

Stonegate has fallen or is under siege. We are asking all who are able to meet myself or Vala Gurth in Mythamber before the span of two months. We plan to aid Stonegate. If you do not come now then the land will be destroyed.