Charity Masquerade a Success

Dreven, Shadokhan - As most have already heard, the Dreven Academy of Trades held a charity event on the evening of Sunshare 5. The event was a masque meant to raise monies still needed by the academy before it can open its doors to the less fortunate in Dreven.

The ballroom, which was already quite the impressive sight, soon became a dream as it was filled with costumes ranging from the obvious to the not-so-obvious. The academy's headmistress, Bliss Lovejoy, was a vision in her fairy costume, and her business partner, the handsome General Brom Stoneheart, was true to himself masked as a wolf. This author also believes that she saw a man among the crowds wearing the broken mask of a Klockwork Soldier, and was that the wealthy Panapolis San Giamonico with a bottle tied to his head?

On the whole, the evening passed smoothly without any unforeseen events. This may be a surprise when you consider that the General's elf made a brief appearance despite the fact that she is also making appearances through all of Dreven on the Klockwork Master's most-wanted posters. There was a brief discrepancy at one of the exits involving a guard and two young people attending the affair, but nothing capable of ruining the evening.

When opened, the Academy will serve to teach trades to those children not fortunate enough to be born set to inherit. They will offer courses in a variety of trades as well as the basics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, and other skills needed to be a well-rounded business person. But do not get me wrong! There is plenty offered for even children of the wealthiest families to benefit from. They offer courses in sword fighting, painting, riding, diplomacy, and etiquette that any noble would want their children to learn.

Yes, the evening was quite the success! People who showed were those curious about the purpose of the Academy, and interested in doing their part by donating supplies or coin. Several large donations were made, one of which came from a mystery man that left before the unmasking. The Academy's headmistress, Bliss Lovejoy, has still been unable to discover his identity. Donations will be going to benefit those who wish to attend but lack the funding to do so. Any who missed the Masque may contact either of the Academy's proprietors to offer their donations or inquire further into the Academy's purpose.

A Local Rebel Connection?

Dreven, Shadokhan - A renowned local, Brom Stoneheart, gave himself up to the authorities on Meridian 8. He is currently a guest at Taysayad and being treated fairly.

Brom Stoneheart was asked to give himself up for questioning after two of his close companions, Kendra Rulyar of Arboria and Adron Taal, turned out to be aiding bandits - or as they wish to claim, "Rebels" - against the rule of the Klock Master, and defied arrest after they had been spotted in a local tavern. Both are wanted for Assault and Treason and a reward has been posted for any information leading to the arrest of one or both individuals.

We found a reliable informant, who wishes to remain nameless, who told us Stoneheart disbanded his Mercenaries, called the Black Wolf Company, just a few weeks before he chose to give himself up to the Klock Master and aid him in his search for his former companions. It is speculated he wishes to distance himself from the crimes of the two wanted Elves. This informant also wishes to express the opinion that he finds it highly unlikely that Master Stoneheart had anything to do with aiding the Bandits connected with the troubles at Morgaine Pass or with the recent rush of attacks on the local Patrols in and around Dreven.

Stoneheart Keep has been turned over to the authorities and will remain property of our beloved Klock Master until Master Stoneheart can prove his Loyalty lies with the current ruler and is not misplaced with the criminal elements who wish to destroy our decent and lawful way of life. The Gazette will inform you once a trial date is set to clear Master Stoneheart's name.

Fire in the Merchant District

Dreven, Shadokhan - On 30 Meridian an out-of-control fire at Tealant Street woke its residents in the middle of the night. The store of one Dug Minter, a local wool merchant, had caught fire and the hot blaze spread rapidly from the storage room up into the living quarters located above the store.

Neighbors quickly flooded the street trying to help douse the flames but found themselves defeated as the flames were out of control fueled by the wool stored inside the building and the fierce winds blowing that night.

Sources told the reporter that the local patrol arrived late and could not offer much assistance to extinguish the flames and instead quickly dispersed the growing crowd and ordered them back into their own beds in order to contain the fire and keep it from spreading throughout the rest of the Merchant District. The morning light brought the real tragedy into view: Dug Minter and his wife had lost their lives in this horrifying blaze and the building was declared a total loss and will have to be torn down and rebuilt. Thankfully, the Minter's children had been at Mistress Minter's sister's house and escaped the horrible fate which had befallen their parents.

Rumors are flying after the fire and a few foolish souls have been overheard claiming the fire was not an accident, but had been deliberately set because of Merchant Minter's frank words in a letter to the editor in the last issue of this publication. The staff of the Gazette would like to point out such allegations are an outrage and we will not support any such rumors.

Return of Kitchen Woes?

Crosswinds Tavern, Dreven, Shadokhan - Once again the Tavern finds itself in the spotlight. Was it not bad enough this famous hangout disappeared for so long into the mist only to suddenly reappear without explanation?

Locals had often said the Tavern was haunted and the latest gossip on the street has it that strange things are happening once again. Not too long ago, it was said the kitchen had ghostly visitors. Many eyewitnesses claimed pots and pans came flying off the racks and attacked unwelcome visitors inside the Tavern kitchen. Now this Kitchen Ghost may have found a new home right behind the Tavern's bar. Witnesses claim to have seen bottles move and rattle and say the Ghost even managed to fill an empty glass with wine in mid-air. We asked the Tavern's main keeper, Asa, for comments, and once again he pointed out, "There ain't no ghosts here."

Could this be a unique trick to lure more patrons into the Tavern since business has dropped a bit in the last few cycles? Only Time will tell if the Ghost will show itself again or if this turns out just to be another hoax.

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Bab's Gossip

by Bab L. Ling

Nothing like a good masqued ball to bring the spring into focus. Of course it's questionable just whose spring it was focusing on. Brom Stoneheart, a wealthy merchant living just outside of Dreven, held a Masqued Ball in commemoration of the opening of his newest endeavor, the Dreven Academy of Trades. Though the cause is a good one, it was the vast array of costumes that caught everyone's attention. Those of rank and monies vied for attention while Master Stoneheart himself spent the evening alone. It appears that he's back on the eligible list again, ladies, though perhaps his newfound "business" partner might have something to say out that!

Stoneheart's daughter, Lady Amorina, however, seemed to favor a particular young man with whom she went well out of her way to be alone. When the unmasking was done, the man in question was no other than Baron Streylan's eldest son, Havoc Sadani. Watch out for this one! He seems aptly named. Since his sudden arrival into Dreven, he's made his rounds with many of the local girls. One can only wonder about the sudden influx of pregnant women at Streylan soon after his arrival!

And speaking of pregnancy, Lady Muriel Kalson has recently announced the soon-to-be arrival of her fourth child. With her husband, Baron Leon Kalson, away so frequently, is it surprising that all his previous children look more like the estate's Master-at-Arms than the older baron? I wonder just whose arms he's master of.

Trouble seems to be brewing at the infamous Crosswinds Tavern, located south of Dreven. Soldiers have taken up residence there to help protect the patrons. I can't imagine why anyone would drink there when there are so many more pleasant taverns in town. Perhaps they'll finally burn the place to the ground and free up our men to return to protecting our city.

And finally, a more uplifting story. There's a new bard in town. He's not only skilled, but handsome, charming, and alluring. He's set more than one listener's heart to beat faster with his music and his smile. Known only as "Mac", he's been adding song to the workers of Dreven within the River District over the last few cycles. How long, I wonder, will it be before some wealthy noble snatches him up and takes him to a brighter lifestyle? I'd like to take this one home with me!

The local druid forecasts humid and hot weather for another tenday this Fadewarm before heavy thunderstorms bring a cool and welcome breeze to the region.