Trickery of a Mad Man

Crosswinds Tavern, Shadokhan - Alarming reports have been growing since the eve of Fadewarm 17, when a group of seven darted through the Northern Portal at the Crosswinds Tavern. They seemed to have escaped some slimy adversary, for all wore a coat of dried and crusted dark green ichor, and wore a stench that is rumored to be worse than the loincloths of an ogre.

While the reports since made to the Magistrate's office and the Silver Moon Knights have not been officially released, the following is a summary of various bits of facts and tales shared by those who have come through the portal, or gathered by the patrons that bore witness to the event.

The group had been kidnapped by the Mad Mage himself and transported by magical means to one of his Towers. There, the group was forced to undergo trials and battles against numerous monsters of magic: elementals, golems, and lastly a race of giant insects that call themselves the Hive. It was their blood that the adventurers wore upon their bodies when they made their escape through the Crosswinds portal.

But before their escape from the Icaran Tower, they inadvertently released the historical Staff of Undoing, Icaruss' infamous weapon in the Icaran Wars. The Mad Mage, who had kidnapped them and tricked them for this purpose from the beginning, then appeared, retrieved his staff, and disappeared.

No members of the group seems to have an idea where the Mad Mage is hiding, nor what his next move against the Empire is. But with his historical weapon back in his possession, things does not bode well for the Mad Mage's enemies.

Arson or Murder?

Dreven, Shadokhan - On the eve of Fadewarm 27, fire devastated a farm just outside of the Dreven borders, owned by Jacob and Gayle Winthrop. The fire was not noticed until the morn when the neighbors noticed the trail of smoke in the wake of the fire's destruction still lingering in the sky. And as neighbors picked through the rubble that was the fire-ravaged farmhouse, they discovered that the husband and wife, the well-liked owners of the small humble farm, and their infant son had also fallen victim to the fire. An accidental tragedy, all deemed, until a dark discovery.

A dagger was found protruding from the ashen throat of the farmer Jacob, which provoked the neighbors to call upon the Silver Moon Knights and the Magistrate. And upon their arrival, more pieces of the mysteries were discovered as one sole survivor, a recently employed young vagrant, was found unconscious and beaten just within the woodline that surrounded the burnt farmhouse. The Magistrate's office has not released any information about this man, who has quickly become the prime suspect when more facts were gathered from the neighbors.

It was noted by those who knew Jacob well, that in a recent celebration at the farmhouse, there was a disagreement between the vagrant, a woman, and Jacob Winthrop. The nature of this conflict is not yet known to the Gazette. The vagrant, known only by the name "Sam," was also said to have much blood upon his hands at the time of discovery, but whether they are his own or that of his former employer is not known.

Neighbors also stated that the last employer of this vagrant was believed to be Camerron Courescant, who also now lays dead. With evidence quickly building against him, it seems this vagrant is soon headed for quick and speedy trial.

Further Deaths in Dreven!

Dreven, Shadokhan - In the past month, there has been a disturbing string of murders in Dreven! More sad news graces these pages, gentle readers! This paper is sorry to have to report the passing-on of Gekanim Monttellego, a Dreven blacksmith. The second, a shipbuilder named Tumin Orthello belonged to the company named "Orthello's Wood." Thirdly, a Silver Moon Knight by the name of William Durmont was found a mile out of Dreven. The new Junior Knight's throat had been slit, and his body beaten. May Nostrella keep their souls!

Take care, gentle readers! Do not travel alone in the dark, for danger may lurk!

Nobles Beware!

Gentle readers, the Gazette implores you to take extra care! We have received the following letter from an unknown:

"Citizens of Dreven,
I wish to inform you that some of your beloved nobles have fallen victim to a horrible desease. The desease is greed. They rip food away from the mouths of babes. They take clothing from the backs of hard working men and women. Jobs do not come so quickly, and when they do, the pay is hardly enough to secure a shelter over a families heads. We cannot continue to sit by and watch our fellow people suffer at the hands of the wealthy. This is our first, and last warning to the nobles....we are coming.

RWD"

Were this the end of it, gentle readers, we here at the Gazette might have passed this off as an odd bit of fan mail, but later on, we were made aware of the following tragedies - is this a coincidence, or do the Silver Moon Knights now have a new group to watch out for - this time, a group of vigilantes?

The bodies of some local nobles have been found in various states of disarray. Some have been found with their throats cut, others found in pools of their own blood, with no wounds to speak of! One noble was hung outside the bannister of his mansion by a bed sheet wrapped around his throat. There are no clues to who is doing these acts, but the above letter was received only a tenday after the murders began! The Silver Moon Knights are baffled at the lack of clues left by these so called "helpers of the unwealthy".

More reports will be forthcoming when received, but we here at the Gazette urge you, gentle readers, to take extra care!

Merchant Ships at Risk!

Pearl Isles, Oceanuus - Merchant ships, roughly one every two weeks for the past month have been sunk near The Pearl Isles or Windward Islands. Only two survivors have ever been found from the wrecks and both spoke of a ship that headed straight into their own. Ramming them and then setting their ships aflame, the marauders seemed to take no interest in what the ships were carrying; instead, they simply seemed to want to sink them and dispose of the crew in a heartless and bloodthirsty manner!

As the Gazette receives more news, we will keep you updated!

Goblins on the Move?

Eastern Borders, Luminii - Though the seemingly organized Goblin attacks of two months ago have seemed to paused, there is talk on Luminii's Badlands-borders of patrols of Goblins seen more often at the paths leading into the Badlands. The hooded form rumored to have led the Goblin attacks of tendays past has not been seen atop his dark horse for the past month. It is said that those who saw him perhaps had too many an ale that night and were subject to the playing of their own minds.

Robbery at the Jeweler's

Dreven, Shadokahn - 23 Meridian, 1260. Doslevi Jewelers, a well known gem cutting and mounting shop within Dreven City, was robbed recently. Stolen was a tiara that had been fashioned for Lady Cerena Volsheire, many uncut gems, a few daggers fashioned with gems in the hilts for Lord Manfred Roseshire, and an undetermined amount of coins. An investigation is underway to determine who the culprit might be, but signs point to an inside job since there were no signs of forced entry.

Theatre Construction Begins

Dreven, Shadokhan - Construction on the new Dreven Theatre began in late Meridian. In the last tenday or so, the framework has begun to take shape, causing speculation amongst the citizens who pass the site. The building is going up near the main gate to Dreven City, where the Flatiron Inn stood before it was destroyed in the Fire Rain of 1259. According to Russ "Rusty" MacDougal, a carpenter working on the theatre, the building will have three stories above ground and a cellar below. Fashioned in an octagonal shape, the theatre will be one of the most unique buildings to grace fair Dreven's rebuilt streets.

The theatre itself was designed by Alexander Quinn, renowned writer/actor. Several of Quinn's patrons have pooled resources to invest in the project - "We'd like to encourage the arts in Dreven," says Lady Rafaella d'Vaen, one of the theatre's patrons. Merchants in the surrounding area are also very excited about the theatre; they are hoping that it will bring more business their way once shows begin.

The theatre is expected to open in the spring of 1261.

An escaped milk goat that answers to the name "Greta" has been seen around the Crosswinds tavern, and has allegedly attacked several female patrons. Kalnish Brenshca, the owner of the goat, has offered a reward of fifty gold pieces for the capture and return of the animal. He asks that the goat be returned alive, as it is a pet of his daughter's.

He also offers to pay damages for any injuries gotten by anyone who has been attacked.

Sometime in the next few days, if the goat is not returned. Mr. Brenshca will lead a group of hunters to track and capture the goat. He asks for volunteers to help him in this endeavor, and offers pay for the day of a gold piece per man, plus fifty gold pieces to the man who first finds the goat.

Further notice of the date and time of the hunting party will be posted on the cork board.

The goat is white, apparently dirty. She has one horn broken. Care should be taken in approaching the goat. It is suggested that no women try to capture her.

And, speaking of goats, gentle reader, what should we receive but a letter from a concerned citizen regarding, we would assume, the selfsame goat! One William C. Bleak, Esquire, has sent in the following letter:

"As a member of the intellectual community of Dreven, I must protest the slaughter of innocent animals in the name of crude sport. I point, of course, to the many vicious rumors of a "mad" goat that are circulating amongst the common population.

Proving that this is all just so much tommyrot is ridiculously easy. I point, of course, to the inflammatory postings on the board outside that infamous nest of outworlders and cutthroats, the Crosswinds Tavern.

It is well-known amongst members of the inner circle in which I travel, that there are often rumors circulated by the so-called 'Secret Circle'. Said circle is composed of no less than the officials in high positions in this regime who spread these stories to lead the populace by the nose away from more important issues.

That an ordinary milk goat is dangerous is laughable. I note that the victims of this fierce animal are, for the most part, harlots and publicity seekers of the worst ilk.

I, myself briefly glimpsed an unusual creature near a spring which was near the Crosswinds. It was no goat. It was the embodiment of the very heart of the ideals of free men everywhere. It was clear to me, that the ignorant and downtrodden, so hungering for a champion, have fastened on the story of a barn animal with a vision, that they have missed the very soul of beauty who called out to me, in a moment of rare and blessed clarity, that this government, for all its shiny soldiers and strange stories of possession by its most important personage, is corrupt.

I call on the citizens of Dreven to support me in my campaign to protect innocent animals from slaughter that is orchestrated only to satisfy the lusts of the nobles who hunt for sport while the masses starve.

The creature that I beheld confessed to me her name. It is Greta. She is no goat, but some ethereal creature who has gifted me with supernal insight into the truth of our lives. Greta, sent by ones who are denied by this regime.

Hang your heads in shame, ye nobles, for your time is at hand.

Knowing that many will wish more information, and will crave to join me in this righteous quest for a new revolution, I have written a pamphlet which is on sale for a mere ten silvers at 'Geena's Bookstore' on Travail Avenue.

Rise up! Protect yourselves. This slaughter of goats must stop!

Wm. C. Bleak, Esq."

The local druid predicts cooling temperatures, especially in the evenings, throughout Soothcool. Expect partially rainy days to begin in the last tenday of the cycle.

Well, as another summer nears its end, this gypsy has caught a few more gossips upon the warm southern winds.

Love and Hate

As many have heard, the rumors regarding Icaruss the Mad Mage has gained new life as a group of seven people of no obvious previous association stumbled through the portal with news of Icaruss and his recent acquirement of his historical staff, Entropos.

Not being a huge fan of history or thick dusty tomes, I am going to leave it to the historians as to what that exactly means for the rest of us. What I am going to concentrate on are the details that the news do not necessary report. Just what happened right after the seven stumbled through the portal raving of Icaruss and renewed proclamations of oncoming demise of all?

Well, for one, the proprietor of the Crosswinds Tavern, Zharyka Jelahldoran (and why am I not surprised she is involved in this?), was one of those escapees from the Icaran Tower. She was said to have been badly burnt, acid was the cause as sources say, with but tendrils of clothing just barely allowing her the most essential of modesty. Coming through the portal, patrons saw her promptly fall to the ground, succumbing to her injuries.

And who should leap to her side? Well, alright, quite a few patrons, all male, but the one who carried her up to her room, as a knight would his lady, was none other than the Magistrate of Dreven himself! Now this is the last person I would expect displaying such a chivalrous gesture, especially toward an Outlander woman he had avidly pursued to convict in the murder trial two years ago! So obvious was Arman Ban-Triam's hatred for this woman then, that none doubted his desire to obtain the punishment of death for the Outlander woman. She, of course, has been absolved from her charges since, by the Emperor himself. Now two years later ... curious developments have transpired between Zharyka Jelahldoran and Arman Ban-Triam.

Eight cycles past, there was a murder attempt on both the Magistrate as well as Zharyka. It happened in the middle of the road, during the coldest days of Earthfreeze. Now, did anyone ever wonder what those two were doing in the freezing dark snowy night alone, in the first place?

Then there were those visits the Magistrate has made since to the tavern. And unlike the visits he had paid Zharyka before the Fire Rain, these were cordial, quiet, and well ... absent of his usual coldness towards the woman. So noted a few patrons.

Lastly, more than a few patrons have noted that the Dreven Watchman or a Silver Moon Knight have been hovering around the proprietor diligently of late. And the wanted poster for the criminal of old, Jorn Dagar, has been tacked up on the Crosswinds wall more than once. It certainly seems that the Magistrate has developed a protective streak when it comes to the Outlander proprietor of the Crosswinds.

The most interesting part of this tale? It is that Zharyka Jelahldoran used to be the lady of the deceased Iannon Destyranos, once a close friend of the Magistrate of Dreven. Now how's that for transferred affections?

Goat Shmoat

Now ... strangely enough, I know nothing about this gossip but a growing number of wanted posters regarding some goat on the Crosswinds boards have finally caught even my curiosity. What is the big deal about this goat??

Capture it.

Kill it.

Eat it.

End of story.

Oh, and invite me to the dinner, eh?

Strangely enough, the Mad Mage and a goat is all I have to talk about this cycle. I hope we have a busier cycle next time around! Until then, let the rumors fly!

~Brynnalia Cal'e

On the 30th day of Meridian, Neilaan Conbest was found guilty of the Murder of his wife alleged of adultery. He was publically executed by hanging on the 10th day of Fadewarm.

On the 30th day of Meridian, Vestra Conbest was found guilty of Adultery during the investigation of her murder.

On the 30th day of Meridian, Onbar Krackatose was found guilty of Adultery. All of his property was seized by the Magistrate's Office on 10th day of Fadewarm.

On the 24th day of Fadewarm, Lylam Delloon was found guilty of Destruction of Property in a drunken rampage. He was fined 10 gold and was placed in the stocks from the 24th to the 29th day of Fadewarm.

Gerald's Smithy on Candlebury Street

Plough repair
Farrier Services
Custom Weapons design
SALE: Skelgrate's Hoof Liniment
2 for 1 (one silver)

Wanted:

Twelve Horses and Six Ponies.
Animals must be in good health and below the age of sixteen years.
Acceptance, only after inspection of animals.
Animals to be delivered to farm in Luminii. Southeast of Damansque.

Leave word for a Duncan Ulyssess at Crosswinds Tavern, Shadokhan.

Wanted:

Expert Blacksmith.
For the skillful creation of particular daggers, swords and pole-arms.

Blacksmiths may leave note at the Crosswinds Tavern, Shadokhan.