THERMADORIAN ARMY IS DEFEATED!

Shadokhaners celebrate victory on the battlefield after a short, but bloody, battle in which Versaisna Lucair, Thermador's 'Ashmaker', was ignominiously burnt to a cinder by his own people.

Some hundred miles and more south of the city of Midford the Thermadorian Army met their doom as they were surrounded by an array of forces led by Raphael Dolek, the Steward of Dreven. Mercenary units, armed and angry civilians, a scattered contingent of hydromancers, and an unexpected show of force by the Silver Moon Knights supplemented Dolek's modest troops, but it was the Therms themselves who brought an end to the ferocious fighting.

Unfettered by an army's usual baggage and supplies, the desert-dwellers swept across Shadokhan, taking provisions from the people as they aimed to strike a blow straight at Shadokhan's heart, the fair city of Dreven. Farmers, fishermen, and scattered pockets of the remains of rebel groups dogged their tracks, resorting to guerilla tactics to slow an army much bigger than they could face. The weather, too, played an important role in this conflict, further slowing the progress of a people used to the sand and heat of the Quintak.

The progress of the Thermish invaders was halted by the Peoples' Army of Shadokhan in a place specifically chosen by the Steward to minimize damage to the rich farmlands and to avoid unnecessary involvement of farmers and common folk not trained for battle. After a brief challenge in which he invited The Ashmaker to return to The Quintak or die. It is rumored that The Ashmaker smiled as shouted his defiance across the field. Then the bonfires roared to life and the battle began.

Creatures of flame assaulted Shadokhan's righteous defenders; arrows and fire rained from the sky; the ground opened up beneath the combatants, spouting molten lava. Fighting fire with fire--and water--catapults launched flaming missiles at the Therms, hydromancers employed water to douse the fires and then to drown their enemies. Just as the battle burned hottest, a huge pillar of fire descended from the sky. Many thought their lives were over in that instant, but the conflagration enveloped The Ashmaker himself. Almost immediately afterward, two young pyromantic students--twins by all appearances--offered surrender.

The fighting slowed, then stopped. Sporadic battles continued for some time; many were wounded, including the brave Steward himself, who was tended by Kendra Rulyar, a member of his circle of Advisors and leader in the Black Wolf Company, and uncertain others including a huge creature of unknown origin. Soldiers from both sides went about the unhappy task of cleaning up the battlefield, identifying bodies, and providing relief for the injured. The Silver Moon Knights volunteered to furnish the remains of the Therm Army speedy escort to the coast. The Ashmaker's assassins, Versaisna Tandiri and Eteri Latani, were taken into custody.

The Voice of the Steward

I'm relieved to be able to announce to you that the Thermador incursion into Shadokhan has been halted. With the death of Archmage Versaisna Lucair by his own people, the Therm army surrendered to our forces and have now all been removed from our soil.

I would sincerely like to thank the Burning Sands Mercenaries and the Black Wolf Company for joining our army in defense of the region. I'm also very grateful to the Silver Moon Knights for pulling together many of their factions to protect Shadokhan and its people and the hundred civilians who also came in defense of their homes and families.

I would also like to personally thank those that helped patch me together after the battle, including the unknown outlander who's magic helped keep me alive. I hope you read this and take my profound thank you.

While nothing can bring back those lost in the skirmishes and final battle, supplies and extra hands are being sent to those villages who were sadly shattered by the Thermish army. Healers, both magical and non-magical, have already been working hard with the population to help them pull back together.

It's time we took a breath from the turmoil our lands have undergone in the last several cycles. Therefore, I'm declaring the First Annual Midsummer Festival of Shadokhan. It will be four straight days of food and drink, contests with prizes, and, of course, shopping. It's time for us to concentrate on what we have, and rejoice in our continued survival. This event is by the citizens, for the citizens. All who wish to aid us in making this a festival to remember are heartily welcome. I hope to see you all there!

~Raphael Dolek
The Steward of Dreven

Arts and Entertainment

Dastardly Deeds - The brand new Crosswinds Tavern Acting Troupe recently held its first performance with a presentation of the new play, "Dastardly Deeds, a Play in Two Acts." Whether it was planned or entirely unintentional, the chaos of forgotten lines, uncertain entrances and misplaced props created a hilarity that went hand in hand with the play's melodramatic plot.

Amidst much mustache twirling, diabolical leering, and stealthy references to lines scribbled upon bits of paper, there were also scraps of ingenious humor, two lovely (but tragic) heroines, an uninvited guest dog, and a bard in sheep's clothing--literally. In a tale of double-crosses and romance, identical twin sisters (one of which is a redhead and the other quite blond) must find their missing father in order to claim their family inheritance before the entire estate is lost to the handsome (and, as it turns out, princely) brothers Desmond and Dalton Dastard.

After receiving no less than five standing ovations from the audience, the CTAT magnanimously agreed to stage an encore performance one tenday after their debut. Plans are already in motion for the next show, auditions to be announced. Donations accepted and sponsorships available. Please contact Bub Jones at Barnbuckle Bakery in Cobblestone Lane.

Solstice Festival Events

Day 1: The Great Horse Race, sponsored by Streylan Farms! First prize is a purse of thirty silvers. Other prizes donated by Merchants and Craftspeople of Dreven.

Day 2: All the Food and Drink you can handle, sponsored by Nisi Brenscha and the Crosswinds Tavern staff. Sample all the best Hyathis has to offer! Games and contests!

Day 3: Archery Contest sponsored by The Black Wolf Company. Prestige as well as prizes!

Day 4: Carnival and Bazaar. Gypsies! Performances by local acting troupes and bards. Don't miss the merriment and celebrations!

The New Beast of Dreven?

Reports have begun to filter into the Magistrate's office as well as to the few Allied League of Farmers in Shadokhan of some beast taking cattle in the more distant farms surrounding Dreven. As of yet, there is no clear idea of what this animal might be. Most of the reports come in without those giving the reports seeing the creature which kills and eats a goodly portion of the larger farm animals. Some do believe it to be a rogue wolf and still others say it is a great cat. A few hunters who have seen the kills believe it to be an mail sized near to a man if not a bit bigger.

While there have been no reports of any citizens of Shadokhan being attacked by the beast, some of the early reports did come with tales of a person being attacked before.The basis for this assumption was articles of destroyed clothing found near the scenes of the earliest of the animal slaughters. As of yet, the magistrate's office has to to attribute any death or maiming to the as yet unidentified creature. In recent tendays, it should be noted, the number of complaints from farmers has decreased. Though there are seemingly more sightings of wild creatures attacked and partially devoured by the creature. These additional finds have kept local farmers searching for the Beast. The Gazette was able to find one witness, who claims to have seen the Beast. "I thought at first," Tiranu Gedspal reported, "that I had come upon some great cat, one like no one had seen in these lands in many a year. It was eating a deer," he went on, with growing disbelief from the audience, "and it turned to look at me, with the eyes of some great cat and then it stood and raised a hand ending with claws at me, it made one low roar and started for the woods."

The hunters in attendance tried to shout down Tiranu as a mad man seeing things through a wine bottle but the older man insisted that the Beast had started running on two legs and then dropped to all fours before vanishing into the woods.

A contest has been established, adding to rewards already posted for the body of the Beast and many have brought in kills seeking the reward. As of yet, the reward is unclaimed as not creature yet seen has the ability to make the wounds reported and witnessed by man. All involved agree the Beast, as they call it, remains at large.

The local Druid forecasts hot and humid weather, with little relief at night. With the beginning of Meridian comes the promise of strong thundershowers, and at least the rain will give men and beast alike much needed refreshment. It is advised to cool down during the day with lots of water and mild herbal tea and refrain from any hard labor under the hot sun until cool winds blow again.

By Order of the Dreven Magistrate

Douglas Verndart, a Dreven goldsmith, was convicted of deliberately cheating his customers by manipulating the weights of the scale in his store. The punishment will be handed out on the 6th of Meridian. He will lose his left thumb, which is the culprit in pushing the scale in his favor, branded as a cheat, and will be on public display for 3 days.

Russ Veltkreed, a native of Luminii, was found guilty of the corruption of a young Dreven Maiden. He was fined 10 Goldpieces, which was revoked the moment he agreed to be wed to the young woman. With both parties in agreement, the Magistrate decided against any further punishment.

The Gloating Goat Tavern, located at the corner of Two Trees Street and Cobblestone Avenue, had to temporarily close due to too many attacks on its Therm dancers. The City Guard has taken the women into protective custody

Announcements

Missing Person: Niarol Eluned and her beast Ideih has been missing for two tendays. She went to bed and when we got up her and the beast were gone. The beast is dangerous and will attack you if you approach them. I worry for Niarol's safety with that animal. She left her trusted Liten behind and that is not like her, not too mention leaving her loved ones behind. If you have any details and wish to contact Gwenda Tiwlip, leave notes in care of the Arborian Ambassador in Dreven.

Betrothal: Announcing the engagement of Annabeth LeGere, daughter of Sir Percival LeGere of Padrical, Balthazor, and the late Vivienne LeGere, to Tristan Rory Black, son of Ranger Rory Black of Dreven, Shadokhan, and the late Rosemary Black. The future bride is a Journeyman Herbalist and the groom is a Ranger Guide. The couple plans to marry later this year.

A New and Exciting Addition to the Dreven Market

This little piggy went to market and here is just a sampling of what she found: goat cheese, crusty bread, herbal soap, flowers, Dwarven music, jewelry and a new herbal shop.

Meri's Medicinals, located on Mason Street in Dreven, opened Gentrain 15 and is already in full swing, although it's still too early for the herbs that will be a big draw later in the season. Like any living thing, the shop will continue to evolve as new herbs appear each week. There may be no better way to spend a Day of the Drake morning than mingling with farmers, artists, cooks, children, dogs and the people with sleeping bags who look like they live in the marketplace. That is, as long as one doesn't mind walking along the dirt roads and running into the occasional plague ridden villager.

Meridyn Bonvalet is the owner of the shop; she is newly transposed from Mistmeadow, Luiminii bit she is already earning rave reviews from the peasants. I reserve the right to make up my decision once the shop has become more established. There also is a certain Lucas Alas who has been frequenting her shop. With her penchant for names and places beginning with "M", perhaps she should change Lucas' name to Mucous.

There are rumors in town that little Meri has been sent to Dreven to assist with the ailing Allied League of Farmers. Perhaps she is "helping" people to her wares so that they would become addicted and come back for more. More currency to send back to the Luminii organization, that is.

In the herbal shop is a range of medicinals, herbs for cooking, and dyes ranging from Abscess Root to Zedoary. The owner is extremely knowledgeable in her wares. Too knowledgable. She spouts off about her various herbs, coming up with remedies of the malaise that she diagnoses without medical training. It sounds like it is damn good stuff to common folk. I, however, have a more ecclectic taste.

Locally produced herbs and imported herbs may be found on Meri's shelves. After earning her degree at the University of Damansque, she began turning herbs from the Bonvalet's field into medicinals. I tried the Golden Gorse leaf, sodden with honey. Meri extolled the benefit to it as cleansing to one's mouth. The result would have made those off-tune dwarves smell clean.

But, first, here's a little advice to make your marketing more productive and comfortable: The shop opens at 8 in the morning and shoppers should come early for the best selection of herbs.

Earlier this tenday a dark and mysterious stranger was seen harassing a number of patrons in The Crosswinds Tavern just outside of Dreven. The man is reported to be between 6 and 10 feet tall and was armed with either a knife or a "Flaming sword as great as it was terrible," if eyewitness reports that evening are accurate. The man, whose name is still unknown, is wanted by authorities for questioning in a string of purs- snatching in and around the Dreven area. Contact the Dreven Guard with any information.

...Manser and Associates, Architects and Engineers, begin reconstruction on bridge that collapsed when pilings were undermined by river currents.

... Fishing on the south end of the Silvermere. Sigbert Warburton reeled in a whopping sixteen-and-a-half pound lake trout. Like all fish tales, this one got bigger and bigger with the telling, but not quite big enough for the party he threw in celebration.

Bab's Gossip

Tender love abounds at the Crosswinds Tavern. Not only are wedding bells sounding for two of the tenders, Dara Liana and Leo (?), but it seems that Tristan Black has a few long-term future plans with a woman known as Beth, who resides in Balthazor. Even hard-to-get Nisi Brenshca has her sights set on Tristan's 'brother', Connor McGill. The pair of them are seen quite frequently together now.

Cristan Kadec, another of the Crossy's tenders, is neck deep in games of the heart as well. Not only has he been seen with the tavern's newest "peacekeeper", a Seleventi named Sera, but it is also rumored that he is betrothed to at least half a dozen other young ladies.

Rumor also has it that Steward Dolek is now entertaining a pair of twin beauties at Taysayad Keep. Details are quite hush-hush, so one has to wonder, is it political ... or social. And why is he smiling ...

A Look Outside Shadokhan's Borders

News from Luminii

...Reports of a goblin attack on the small village of Avelton in eastern Luminii have raised concerns that the goblins are once again trying to establish a presence in that part of the region. Rumors are circulating that the Avelton attack may be retribution against the Luminii government for conscripting goblins into service in the rebellion against the Klock Empire. The office of the Archon had no comment to the rumors, except to say that they are dispatching soldiers to the region, to work together with the Knights at Wantlokin in resolving the issue.

...Forecasters throughout central Luminii are predicting a good growing season, which is welcome news for farmers and likewise for importers in Shadokhan. The coastal areas of Luminii, however, are expected to see a stormier season than usual, which may impact fishing and shipping.

...The local government of Vinoricco, in an effort to bring travelers to their newly rebuilt city, have begun sending out personal invitations to persons of importance throughout Luminii, Shadokhan and beyond. Visitors are being promised an 'unrivalled holiday experience' with fine accommodations, gambling opportunities, and private tours of local wineries.

Rustlings from Arboria

Rumors of the recent kidnapping of the Arborian Ambassador to Dreven turned out to be exaggerated. It turned out that the Lady Ambassador had been back in Arboria to rest. We wish her well, and are happy to see her grace our City of Dreven again with her presence.

Arboria has finally opened part of its borders again and for the first time in over 10 years trade is coming in and out of the Forest Nation. For security reasons, only one border crossing is officially open for non-Elven travelers. Interested parties, for trade or personal business, are advised to contact the Arborian Ambassador in Dreven on how to cross into Arboria via the Cracked Pass. Trespassers on other border points will be challenged and turned away.

Cloosidian Update

There is no news available from Cloosidan at this time. Watch this space for more information in the next issue!

Oceanuusians Making Waves

Business developments in the islands have produced some interesting trends, most notably the apparent establishment of slave trade. Whilst waiting for credentials to be checked and approved, this writer spent two tendays in gaol, and then another two cycles as the 'pale-haired pet' of Mer socialite Kerttuli Ahonen. (Not nearly as bad as it sounds, good readers, if one can overlook the strange fungus afflicting the feet!)

Currently a guest at Taysayad Keep, Xieng Khouang's Ambassador to Shadokhan, Keoni Taranga, assures that neither he nor the government he represents are on the mainland to acquire such 'stock' and, furthermore, that such a business holds no personal interest for him. Instead, he has turned his consirable attentions to the mundane trading of foodstuffs, raw timber, and textiles. One might make note of the fact that the Southern Oceanuusians have extended no offers in the ship-building quarter.

Such businesses as The Prince of Pau! Trading Company and Honui's Imports have staked a claim in Dreven's market as well as establishing branches in several of the larger towns in both Shadokhan and Luminii. Representatives from both companies declare that business is doing 'wonderful fine.'

Returning for a moment to the mention of appendages, there are rumors circulating that a goodly portion of subjugated 'mallows' (a local term for those of fair complexion) are afflicted with a currently unidentified variety of fungus. This ailment is known to discolor and disfigure the skin. It produces a burning sensation that is quite painful. It is not known if this condition is contagious, nor whether any steps are being taken to bring the disease under control.

Thermador is Where?

With half of the Thermador Nation on Shadokhan soil, we could not send a reporter out to the desert at this time.

The Gourmet Corner

This past eve, I dined at the Crosswinds Tavern outside of the city of Dreven. There is a reason city dwellers call the country folk rural, and last night I found out why. The cuisine was more suited to a pig's trough than a sophisticated palette such as mine. For an appetizer, I was served a pint of the most watered down ale I have ever had the distinct displeasure of drinking, and it was followed by a deplorable dish known to the patrons as 'Asa's famous goulash.' A mangled attempt at creativity at its best, the goulash held within its sticky depths potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, turnip, and a hint of apple. Where some may claim this to be the food of the gods, it appeared to me to be nothing more than the remnants of a years worth of picnic lunches. As for the tag of "Famous", one can only assume it is because anyone who ate it would be famous had they not dropped dead on the spot.

The appetizer was followed by a less than magnificent entree. That night's special - Wild Boar, or so Asa would lead me to believe. The boar, if it were in fact wild boar and not some poor old mare who's time on this earth had come to an end in the kitchen of the tavern, was tough to say the least, and not at all the succulent palette pleasing dish I had been assured it would be. To say anymore about it would be giving credit to something better off forgotten. With the meal coming to a close, and at the time when I would (under normal circumstances)have a light dessert to cap off the evening, this reporter chose (wisely) to tempt fate no longer and not indulge in whatever culinary aberration the tavern was choosing to pass off as dessert.

In short, the meal at the Crosswinds Tavern leaves much to be desired. Should you choose to eat it, you may also leave as much outside the door in the bushes. I give it half a star.