Army on the Move!

Morgaine, Luminii - The army's moving again! It seems the Klockwork finally grew tired of the Pass between Shadokahn and Luminii being controlled by rebel factions and determined to take it back. The word is that it was to be taken at any cost, and success belongs to the army. Hurrah for our emperor!

Armies from both Shadokahn and Luminii marched towards Morgaine in the beginning of Fadewarm, determination and strength in numbers their main weapon against the rebels. Many local Barons were called up to lead the troops, leaving their familes behind them to play soldier for a tenday (or two). This author has sources that say one of these Barons was Dreven's most popular Baron Streylan. What did the ladies of Dreven do in his absence, I wonder? The esteemed Baron Streylan continues to refuse to give his comments, the cad!

There is some confusion as to what actually happened out there in the mountains, but it is said there was no real battle for the convenience of the Pass. Some negotiations took place, and instead a trade was made. This author has yet to discover what was valuable enough for the rebels to depart their precious hold and allow it to fall into the hands of the Klockwork.

However! There wasn't a complete lack of a battle. Seems the rebels decided on their way out of Morgaine that they couldnt go without leaving some type of mark on the army, so they opted to launch an attack of stealth on the troops camped out on the Luminii side of the Pass under the cover of night. It is still unknown what the losses were on either side.

Do not fret; as the news comes in I will make it my utmost responsibility to keep you informed!

Gang War On the Horizon?

Dreven City, Shadokhan - On Fadewarm 20, a local gang of 'street toughs' was found badly beaten near the 'Waterlogged Hull' tavern in the River District which they tended to frequent. Each of the men were found with several broken bones and swollen bruising. There were no fatalities in the attack but nor were there witnesses able (or willing) to rat out a force able to so badly brutalize a street gang of the reputation of "Ol' One-Eye" and his thugs. The leader "Ol' One-eye" only mumbled incoherently about hooded cloaked men with scarves covering their faces melting from the shadows like wraiths and ambushing them before vanishing back into the night.

One of the more responsive members of the gang said the group "Struck as a unit, their movements were like a dance. These guys seemed to fight as men who had worked together for years. A figure would lure one of us into a attack only to feint back as his comrade brought a club down to break a arm or into our back. It was fighting professionals, not your normal street riff-raff thug."

Could there be a professional criminal element of trained warriors and thieves moving into the area? Perhaps vigilante justice being rendered out to a gang that has tormented locals for some time? Maybe even the ghosts of the traitorous Silver Moon Knights handing out justice from beyond the grave?

The Local authorities had no comment to publicly give, but one of our inside sources says there is a common joke among the regiment on the event. "Should we try to hunt these 'wraiths' or let them go and hope our job gets easier?" More will be reported as details become available.

The local Druid predicts cooling temperatures, especially in the evenings throughout Soothcool as we enjoy the last days of summer. Heavy rainfall will begin towards the end of the cycle.

Angelique's Fine Clothing

on Wilder Avenue in Dreven
Current fashions and unique designs
for men and women
featuring fabrics of the highest quality

Arrest in the Marketplace

Dreven City, Shadokhan - The marketplace was a buzz with the startling arrest of local well-to-do merchant, Harol March. Owner of 'Silken Comfort', which sells expensive linens to the wealthy, he was arrested for sedition last tenday and was taken away over the weeping cries of his wife, Arinia.

"Harol seemed like a good man," stated a fellow merchant. "He was always ready to lend a hand to his neighbor. I guess you never know."

Details are sketchy at present. Currently, his business is being overseen by his brother Jandig.

Hare-Raising Tale

Dreven City, Shadokhan - Hot on the tail of the Crosswinds Tavern's mysterious ghost, crazed rabbits plague innocent travelers on the road from the city to that infamous establishment. The story seems to have begun on a balmy night in early Fadewarm shortly after a succession of brief, but violent thunderstorms. An unidentified tavern-goer appeared at the tavern, soaking wet, claiming that his horse had been attacked and he'd been dumped in the river. The horse subsequently fled the scene without its unhappy rider. At this point the tavern patron, described only as a young man, apparently escaped unscathed but for his bruised dignity.

Shortly thereafter tales of more bizarre attacks began to circulate. There are claims that the hares are large enough to attack horses, and that they bear horns. One young woman collapsed in tears, claiming that the 'evil' bunnies had run up her skirt and assaulted her. The incidents are widespread and it is speculated that the pernicious air that surrounds the Crosswinds has begun to affect the wildlife as well as the patrons. Take care, Gentle Reader, when and where you seek your entertainment lest you become another statistic on the notorious Crosswinds' list of victims!

Construction on Streylan Keep

Dreven City, Shadokhan - The new abode of his lordship, Kai dan Rikash, Baron Streylan -- is coming to a close. Inside sources claim that there is still much work to be done on the interior, but the Baron's family, guards, and servants moved into the structure mere days before the good Baron was required to leave the area on Klock business.

The Keep itself is a sight to behold. Exotic architecture and a beautiful, pastoral setting give one a sense of being on foreign ground. Walls are constructed of pale stone, and the gently curving roof-lines further invoke the fairy-tale atmosphere. One expects a blocky, looming structure, but Baron Streylan and his architect and engineer, Master Owen Manser, have managed to arrange the marriage of form and nature. Apparently there is a side to the Baron previously unexplored!

Since his installation as "baron", Streylan has worked tirelessly in service to the Empire, training with his men, safe-keeping our freedoms, and involving himself in numerous charitable and humanitarian endeavors (he is, as we have recently discovered, the "silent" partner in the recently opened Kelwin's Home for Children).

It is hoped by this reporter that the Baron will make time to open his new home in a public fete, perhaps in the manner of the Sunshare event at the Dreven Academy of Trades. With his talented and beautiful wife at his side, the event couldn't help but be a success.

Come visit The Gloating Goat, located at the corner of Two Trees Street and Cobblestone Avenue, all week to receive daily drink specials!! Beautiful and exotic Therm dancers nightly!

Correction from the Editor

News from Oceanuus

All of Xieng Khouang is aflutter with the latest news of the region's most eligible bachelor, "King" Kili Bashar himself. Thirty-something, dark and mysterious, his devil-may-care attitude alternately leaves men and women alike gasping or swooning. One of S'osha's wealthy aristocrats, Tran Hoanui, a fruit exporter of some standing, recently approached Bashar to offer his daughter's hand in marriage. The suit was promptly denied.

The only eyewitness account was Bashar's right-hand-man and close confidante, Ryo Ariyeva. He refused to comment on the matter, but Hoanui was incensed, claiming insult to his family, friends and indeed, half the peoples of the island nation.

Overhearing the exporter's continued complaints at a social event a tenday later, Ariyeva took matters into his own hands. "If your daughter's demeanor bears the least resemblance to that of her sire," he asserted, "the marriage would not last the cycle." Whether the statement was meant as reprimand or veiled threat, it seemed to have the desired affect. Hoanui and his daughter have retired to their family estate.

It was immediately after the fete that Xieng Khouang's famous volcano spouted a light show that could be seen for leagues. Is the eruption of Mount Mana'o coincidence or fate? Islanders supporting the current head of state and his aggressive but indubitably successful rule maintain that the flare-up was orchestrated by the hands of the gods -- a physical manifestation of their pleasure in his wisdom and choice character. Those on the other side of the coin clutch their religious talismans and mouth their prayers for deliverance, fearing the gods' wrath and subsequent punishment.

In other Oceanuusian news, a blight on Krita's mahogany trees has sent prices for the wood soaring. Blight cankers are easily recognized by thick dots of orange where the fungus has grown. Treatment is a simple as a mudpack plastered onto the canker, then wrapped in oil-cloth. Many cankers per tree create an interesting forest of bandaged limbs. In the meantime, locals are working with a druid to discover a long-term cure.

The island of Akheri is the source of a new trend: "punui" necklaces constructed of alternating bamboo "spike" beads and coconut shell beads. A delectable way to stay in fashion! (Distributed both locally and abroad by Prince of Pau! Trading, Inc.)

~Feki Anoha'ana, correspondent

Bab's Gossip

by Bab L. Ling

Guess who was seen down at the marketplace, plying a young red-haired beauty with liquor quite early in the day? Why, none other than the apparent star of this issue of the Gazette, the wealthy Baron Streylan. Angelique, the young lady in question -- or is it questionable young lady? -- is fast becoming one of Dreven's favorite seamstress. Perhaps it has something to do with the "error" in the latest Gazette issue. After all, her shop certainly wasn't in short supply of customers, especially male customers! I wonder if Baroness Streylan is aware of the number of new shirts her husband has bought?

With so many of the barons away from the city on Klockwork business, is it no wonder that their wives are finding solace with each other? Rumors have been heard of a Lady's Day in the city. One wonders just what these ladies do? Shopping? That seems highly unlikely. More likely, they visit the theater of performing arts. We hear the actors there make an amazing distraction.

On the lighter side, anyone who is anyone attended the annual UMA ball to celebrate another fine year of trading. Anyone, that is, but Drystan Setalin, the eldest son of UMA's Premier, Geran Setalin. Could he be off with his mystery woman? Not surprisingly, the couple were unavailable for comment.