Dreven Gears Up
for Future Confrontations

Dreven City - It has been noted that there has been a sudden influx of weaponsmiths in our fair and ever-growing city as well as in many of the other larger cities across the region. It is no wonder. The mood of our illustrious leaders seems to have suffered an extreme shift, bringing about the sudden outlawing of Klocks, immediately followed by the banishment of their icon, ex-General Yashkara Steelclaw. This reversal of position--reducing the Klocks to rebels--cannot be expected to be ignored.

Add to that circumstance the scent of a rift between the steward and his council. More than a few council members have begun publicly voicing their disagreements with the steward's decisions and his very own golden boy, Baron Streylan, seems to have fallen uncharacteristically silent and 'otherwise occupied.'

And if that isn't enough, tensions between Arboria and Balthazor to the north have worthy citizens preparing for the worst in spite of the assurances of the Powers That Be that all is well in the world. Rumors of Arboria's growing new navy, uncertainties about the Bloodsun Plague, and the continued absence of Balthazor's Ambassador Soledaad Rourke do little to soothe growing uneasiness.

Further unrest along Shadokhan's southern coast and continued rumors of mercenary warlords attempting to carve out their own empires seem to indicate that the rise in weapons production in the region is necessary and inevitable.

And Justice for All?

Some things may come too late, even if done with the best for all in mind. One old proverb comes to mind: passage to the Abyss is made smooth with good intentions, and this may ring true for the Steward of Dreven. One wonders why--after nearly two years--the Steward and his Council have suddenly adopted a hard line when it comes to the followers of the deposed Klock regime. Not only has General Yashkara Steelclaw been kept hidden within Taysayad Keep for this entire time, but she was living in very humane conditions and allowed to welcome visitors on a regular basis. Was she being held in order to gain information, or could the Steward not bring himself to execute his former General? Many in Shadokhan still call for her blood even after her recent exile, considering her mercy never extended as far as the Steward's. How many Knights lost their heads? Has everybody forgotten the slaughter of healers and their families right under our noses here in Dreven City? While our wise Council and Steward wish not to bloody their hands with the death of Yashkara Steelclaw, we do hope the woman is wise enough to stay outside the borders of Shadokhan. Maybe it would be best for her to seek a new life in the Badlands considering Luminii, or Arboria will not suffer her or offer her any assistance.

Heinous Murder of
Silver Moon Knight

In mid Gentrain, the corpse of a Silver Moon Knight was found hung by the neck on a street corner in the notorious River District. Tongue cut out and throat slashed, the body was drained of blood. "'T'were a ghastly sight to come upon, let me tell you!" said Crestina Barbata, a fishmonger and the first on the grim scene.

The body was later identified as Sir Lunden of the Dreven Company who was, as one of the Order's troopers investigating the scene claimed, "an honorable man, fair-tempered and generally liked." Major Lexington himself was in the group of knights that arrived on the scene following the reported murder, proving himself to be a leader immediately involved with his people.

No one has claimed responsibility for the death, nor is there any evidence to lead to a suspect or suspects. Although the SMK is not responsible for patrolling the city itself, the Order is working closely with the Dreven Guard to discover the perpetrator of this vicious crime.

It is unknown at this time whether the unfortunate man leaves behind any relatives.

Record size lake trout caught in Lake Turnan. Pip Grant celebrated by sharing his catch with friends and family.

Greenskeep celebrated its annual Onion Festival. It is was another success, even if it smelled all the way to Tatham!

Pigeons flocking and nesting around Dreven's Upper Bridge become a hazard. City officials plan meeting to address the issue.

Petty Theft of Property- Darwin Brandard,10 lashes and incarceration for the length of 10 days.

Destruction of Property- Chining Warnstone, charged with destruction of two tables and 6 chairs during a drunken rage. Order to replace the broken furniture in the Smelly Rat, fined 10 gold and sentence to public service for a cycle.

Tavern Fight
Leads to Arrests

An unnamed tavern in the River District was the scene of a brawl in the evening of the 24th of Gentrain. There was extensive damage to the property including a door ripped from its hinges and a fire from a broken lantern that did damage to one wall and a few barrels before being extinguished. It took the Dreven Guard, assisted by a few local Silver Moon Knights, nearly an hour to break up the melee. The Guard made several arrests.

Witnesses say that the fight began when local tender Cristian Kadec came into the tavern and challenged a man named Demmer, apparently over a prior incident in which Demmer assaulted an Outlander woman named Jinx. The details aren't clear, but witnesses say that the argument between the two escalated and it wasn't long before the rest of the tavern was involved.

Most of those arrested in the melee have been released. Both Kadec and Demmer remain in the Dreven gaols.

Voice of the Steward

Let it be known to one and all that on
6 Sunshare 1276
Yashkara Steelclaw
is hereby banished from Shadokhan.
Her sentence of Death will be carried out
if ever she were to return to our region.

Your servant,
Steward Raphael Dolek

- - - - - - - - -

By Order of Steward Raphael Dolek and the Office of the Magistrate: Any persons found wearing or carrying the emblem of the Klockwork Regime will be arrested and tried for treason. If convicted, they will be publically executed or exiled.

Arts and Entertainment

The wildly successful Crosswinds Tavern Acting Troupe will be giving a final encore performance of their play Up a Creek, in which Archie, the son of Duke Archibald Featherwate the 23rd, gets enchanted by a group of hedge witches and needs to be cured. A rollicking performance by cast members! Admittance to this special repeat performance can be attained with the donation of a prop. The Troupe is currenly in need of: 1 sturdy log, 3 large-sized women's dresses, 1 fake magic staff, 6 ells of plain brown fabric, a cow (will be returned, loan of cow entitles owner and family to 15 free CTAT performances), and a partridge.

The CTAT would also like to announce the opening of auditions for their summer play, Aunts on a Log. Tryouts will be held at Willoughby's Inn on Padley Street and at the Crosswinds Tavern south of the city. Donations to the CTAT accepted and sponsorships available. Please contact Bub Jones at Barnbuckle Bakery in Cobblestone Lane.

In other entertainment news, local musical band Stormy Night is currently playing. Their shows can be enjoyed on the grounds of Dreven University beginning daily at sundown through 9 Warmgrow and again from the 21st through the 29th. They will also be performing at the University's commencement exercises.

A Look Outside Shadokhan's Borders

News from Luminii

In spite of forecasters' reports that parts of Luminii were in danger of a drought this season, much of the region faced heavy rains and rising rivers instead. Low-lying areas of Damansque suffered minor flood damage, and a number of roads in low-lying areas were washed out. Further south along the Sevrenne, the city of Mistmeadow lost a bridge to flood waters and a grain mill was badly damaged. Three people are listed as missing at this time. Rains are expected to continue through the beginning of Sunshare, and travelers are being warned that a number of roads in the central part of the region are difficult to travel, if not completely impassable.

Recent flooding might affect the travel plans of Archmagess Julia Galyn. The typically reclusive leader of the Vivomancers, who has rarely left the Damansque/Desleben area since her ascendancy, is reportedly going to spend the spring visiting different areas of Luminii, beginning with the coastal areas. There are also rumors that the Archmagess may pay a visit to Shadokhan later on in the season.

In spite of the weather, farmer's markets throughout Luminii have opened and are doing steady business. Among the goods for sale are various spring greens and berries.

Oceanuusians Making Waves

The changing seasons have hit the islands hard, bringing severe rains responsible for widespread mudslides and flooding. Several major plantations have been badly damaged, which will affect exportations later in the year. Expect a shortage of fruits, taro, and cocoa.

Plans are underway for a new annual tourney that will offer challenges of skill and endurance. Horses, knights, and heavy-duty armor not being a staple of the islands, the affair will be tailored to fit the region. Contests will include swimming, wrestling, boxing, spear throwing, sword- and knife-fighting -- and the islander's characteristic coasting of the waves while standing on narrow sleds. The festival, called Hamani te Ori, is scheduled to take place Meridian 28-30. Beginning on Meridian 21 the regular Portal Toll will be lifted to encourage visitors from the mainland to attend this event. Also on the schedule will be merchant bazaars, celebration feasts, music, and dancing. Several local vintners will be contributing to the festivities and invitations are being sent throughout the Seven Regions.

Thermador

Are Therm caravans under attack by a new drake army, or simply wyrm bait? Wyrm activity has been on the rise around the Luminii/Thermador border. Several survivors of drake attacks state that they saw a large wyrm directing the smaller drakes on how and where to attack. Is this a new army on the rise in Thermador? Are the survivors simply hallucinating from being out in the Thermadorian sun and sand without any protection? Have they been drinking too much eshashek? Perhaps they became wyrm bait?

We've sent yet another reporter to find out the truth, but so far have not heard anything from them – is this a growing trend?

Only time will tell what the increased activity along the border means for both Thermador and Luminii. We at the Dreven Gazette are waiting to hear from our Luminii correspondent as to what the reaction has been by the leaders there.

Arborian Rustlings

News of a very successful Tivili in Cennebrae has finally reached our fair city. As the Elven Nation welcomed another prosperous year its council promised to ease travel from Shadokhan into Arboria in the next few cycles. The promise of new trade agreements, not only with Shadokhan but with Luminii, hangs in the air like a fresh spring breeze.

The Arborian Ambassador to Shadokhan is still very close-lipped with comments about the current situation between Arboria and Balthazor. Rumors of growing military build-up between the two regions were dismissed quickly, and the new Arborian Ships explained away as something planned for a long time to prevent another wave of Pirate attacks on the Arborian coast.

Rumors from Balthazor

With the Region in amazement and awe over the announcement of the wedding between Baroness Tristiana Mikkhal of Nekroli and the very mysterious Black Lotus, we breathlessly wait to see if Irmaa Vep will grace the two love birds with her blessings for their union. We offer bonus pay for anybody brave enough to cover this wedding.

Cloosidian Update

Since the birds still have ruffled feathers it once again looks like a long summer without a lot of Sweetwater...

Dreven Contenders
Make a Strong Showing in the Sunshare Races

The weather was sunny and unseasonably warm, the crowds were large, and the competition was fierce at the first annual Sunshare Races in Curtienne, Luminii. As dignitaries and nobility from around the region and beyond looked on, the riders and horses from throughout Hyathis took to the new course.

Though the early races had their share of dramatic moments, it was the final race that proved most suspenseful. Valan, the odds-on favorite owned by the Demasio family, inexplicably stumbled and fell soon after the start, ending up in the path of a few other riders and nearly causing a disaster. Quick thinking and skilled riding saved the day, but those riders, including a young Robert Mallory on Midnight, were dealt a frustrating setback from which it was difficult to recover.

Competition between Kai dan Rikash, on Iyoku, and Nathan Smythson, on Firebolt, was tight going into the last turn and final stretch, but it was Cait McGill on Black Moon who managed a final burst of speed and edged past the men, coming in first by half a length. Iyoku was second, Firebolt third.

Valan never finished the race, though to the relief of his owners, his injuries were not severe. Cornelius’ Curse, owned by Gabe Darten of Mistmeadow, came in fourth. The rest of the Dreven entrants made strong showings, including Arnaud deBeau on Charmer, and Mik Gideonn on Empyreal following close behind.

At the conclusion of the race, Archon Baraeros gave trophies and congratulations to the first, second, and third place riders, and sponsors of the race also awarded prizes of coin to the winners. Celebrations were expected to last well into the night, with all riders and owners invited to be guests of honor at a number of events.

Xion Rising

Anonymous sources are reporting that a new den of iniquity has recently opened within the confines of Dreven City. While details at this time are still sketchy, this reporter has heard the name "Xion" on the lips of more than one person of ill repute. Whether Xion is person, place, thing, or idea is still unknown, but one thing is for certain -- there has been a definite increase in the number of sordid characters seen in and around Dreven City, and the Dreven Guard seems none too happy about it. Be sure to look for more information as it becomes available.

Gruesome Feud Continues

Port Ethralest - Earlier in the year a small house on the outskirts of Ethralest was transformed into a gruesome death scene when unknown antagonists brutally murdered five people later identified as refugee Half-los from Southern Oceanuus. The only substantial clues in the massacre were slim: the bodies were badly mutilated, all belongings appeared to remain intact, a collection of unidentified tokens bearing the mark of five stars was found.

When it was later suggested that the tokens were an underground symbol of the ousted Pirate Nation, the theory was put forth that the murders were political in nature. Indeed, continued activity of similar ilk seems to uphold that notion. Within a tenday after the first crime the bodies of three Mer were discovered at the site of the previous homicides. Each had been been pinned to the floor with a sharpened staff through the throat and a crude star was carved into their chests. There appeared to have been a considerable struggle, indicating that Mer were living when these atrocities were visited upon them. The mysterious tokens appeared again, placed over the eyes of the victims.

The same style of violence and death continues up and down the coast. There is no apparent pattern visible in the choice of locations in these heinous murders, although the port itself seems to be the center of the battlefield. Thus far the victims, now numbering in excess of forty, are Half-lo, native 'S'oshan,' and Mer, as well as one 'mainlander.' It is suspected that the latter, a dock worker known as Tiny Freeman, became unwittingly involved in a confrontation between rival factions when he met his death.

As the hostilities increase, citizens of Port Ethralest have begun demanding the exile of the displaced islanders, claiming that their presence is drawing bloodshed and terror. The Mer, too, are being censored, and it has been proposed that their access to the port city--indeed, to the entire region--be limited to the city docks and, on the occasion of business requirements, that they be placed under armed escort, much as business is conducted in the islands themselves under Mer supervision. Foremost in the minds of many is this question: How long will it be before this dreadful conflict erupts into full-blown war on our own shores?

Streylan Farms

Fine horses with excellent training.
Dales and Therms at reasonable prices.

Standing at Streylan
is the prime Dale stallion,
Eye of the Storm.
Champion bloodlines,
high performance horse with
excellent athletic ability.

With Sunshare almost behind us and Warmgrow around the corner, the cold nights will finally be a thing of the past. The local Weather Druid warns of strong thunderstorms in the beginning of the cycle but promises warm sunny days in less then a tenday.

Birth: Elizah True Gideonn, daughter of Ricoh and Bliss Gideonn, born 10 Blossombud 1276. The entire family is doing well.

Birth: Ty'el Drac, son of Ka'el Drac and Tyndarra of Streylan Farm, born 1 Sunshare 1276.

Engagement: Baroness Tristiana Mikkhal of Nekroli, Balthazor, to Kamal "the Black Lotus" of unknown origin.

Death: Henderson Stone, age 24, drowned while fishing. Husband of Jayne, father of two small children.

Death: Bov Melrone, age 67, while washing his dog in the river suffered a fatal heart attack. He is survived by wife Ascelina, five children, several brothers and sisters, and another dog.

Up, Up and Away!

Rumor has it that a fellow going by the name of Barton is offering a new business venture. This visionary plans to take Shadokhan up into the sky in a construction called a 'balloon.' His vision goes so far as to suggest that theses contraptions can be used to ease the burdens of travel and employed as a means of transporting goods from town to town. Barton has been drumming up support for his ideas at the Crosswind Tavern, offering big returns for his investors. We are waiting to see if this whole venture is going to turn out to be just a lot of hot air...

Dreven University

Dreven University is proud to announce its 59th annual graduation exercises. Following a rich tradition, these events will take place over the course of the last tenday in Warmgrow as follows:

Magisterium Curriculum: 20 Warmgrow
Quadrivium Curriculum: 23 Warmgrow
Trivium Curriculum: 26 Warmgrow

Congratulations, students!

Legendary Lake Monster Spotted

Dreven, Shadokhan - Lake Silvermere has long been plagued with the presence of a rarely-sighted but highly dangerous creature said to live within its watery depths. Descriptions over the years have varied wildly, producing a nightmarish monster to haunt the area and imaginations everywhere. Recently, however, half-a-dozen eyewitness accounts corroborate several details. The fiend is said to be between five and ten feet tall, possesses saucer-sized eyes like mirrors, sports fins and a multitude of sucker-bearing arms of extraordinary length and strength. The color is either green, gray, or blue. It can move at a horrifying speed through water, and although it is somewhat slower on dry land, it is still very fast and will use its tentacles to rip its victims limb from limb.

"Crazy thing chased me and my buddy Hilbert halfway to Midford," asserted local fisherman, Cleatus Malladroyt. A woman (name withheld) riding past the lake on the way to visit her sister in parts south claimed that it has a "wailing voice fit to set your knees a-knocking," while Vincent Walleybottom, a traveling tinker, was certain the thing sang like an angel, fatally hypnotizing its victims. In any case, travelers in the area are urged to use extreme caution and, where possible, not to travel alone.

Local businesswoman and philanthropist Moira Swanley has determined to look into the affair, promising the aid of natural experts and mages until "the creature is either caught or exterminated," thus assuring the safety of the region's fair citizens and promoting the exploration of hidden cultures. Ideally, Lady Swanley would like to add the beast to her ever-growing menagerie, where it will be studied and occasionally displayed to the public for educational purposes.

Progression of
a Specter King

A few tantalizing rumors in Dreven claim that no lesser a personage than the allegedly expired Sea Wolf, ex-pirate king Kili Bashar, attended the Stoneheart Ball earlier this year. And yet another few gossips in Damansque profess that a mysterious Islander manifestly not claiming to be the deposed king has graced more than a few affluent soirees, wooing adherents -- and funds -- to his New Cause. Not to be outdone, a few notables in Thermador are maintaining that Bashar was in Wadi Medani -- or Fartrade, or Spiosra, depending on who one talks to -- currying favor with coin-heavy merchants of that region. He was, at the same time, a brief guest of Baroness Tristiana Mikkhal, allegedly bringing her costly (unless one assumes piracy, in which case they were likely free!) gifts from the Islands whilst courting her favor right under the nose of her intended, Kamal the Black Lotus. And while the elusive-but-popular S'oshan was visiting northern climes, what did he receive but an invitation from Jarz La Frenz to join him in a cozy tête-à-tête in the aeromantic councilor's airy abode? What really stretches the imagination is the welcome the ex-king apparently received in Cennebrae, Arboria, where all the stops were pulled and none other than Archmage Tequin rolled out the red carpet to welcome a new ally in the oft-predicted war against Balthazor. For a figment of the imagination, Mister Bashar really gets around...

Public Apology

"We are embarassed about the mistake made in the warning previously carried to the public concerning the imminent invasion of Vorpal Rabbits," claims Thelda Appleyard, a Soothsayer of the United Front of Hedgewitches. "We don't know how this could have happened. All subsequent augeries give every indication that the influx will actually occur on the 18th of Warmgrow. We apologize for the misinformation and urge the citizens of Dreven to be prepared! This is not a hoax and extreme danger exists. We can not stress this enough."

'Preparation' for this event includes sturdy fencing of one's gardens, keeping a supply of brooms (or arrows) on hand, and encouraging your child to take an active part in dispersing the horde. Apparently the innocent touch of a child lulls these creatures into a harmless slumber. If you don't have a child of your own, borrow or hire one.

Captured and restrained animals will be transported to the Vorpal Rabbit Preserve located some 150 miles east of Damansque, Luminii.

Local Merchant
Blames Smith for Loss of Valuable Horse

Dreven, Shadokhan- Mirabeau Leigh, primary owner of Leigh's Dry Goods, is blaming Mongo the Smith for the loss of a prized horse, and has employed a barrister to seek compensation on her behalf. The amount being sought has not yet been disclosed, but Miss Leigh has been overheard telling customers and other nearby merchants that she expects Mongo to compensate her not only for the lost horse, or the cost of its return, but also for the subsequent "pain and mental anguish" she has suffered.

The horse in question, a Dale named Saffiro, vanished from in front of the Four Winds Tavern south of Dreven in mid-Gentrain. Miss Leigh, when reporting the incident to the Dreven Guard, said that she had taken the horse to the tavern to buy him a tankard of ale. A little later on, Miss Leigh left the horse alone "for just a few moments." When she returned, the horse was gone. The Dreven Guard determined after a brief investigation that the horse was not stolen, but simply walked off.

However, Angus Faramore, the barrister hired by Miss Leigh, explained in a letter to the Gazette that it is Mongo the Smith who is ultimately to blame for the lost horse. "It was Mr. Mongo's advice that led to this tragic situation," he wrote. "Saffiro had been off his feed since late winter. Miss Leigh expressed her concerns to Mr. Mongo, fearing the horse was ill." But Mongo, the barrister claims, informed Miss Leigh that Saffiro wasn't ill at all, merely depressed. He then went on to prescribe a strict regimen of activities designed to ‘cheer Saffiro up.' The list apparently included daily socialization, a tankard of ale at the end of each work day, and stories before bed. "It was absolutely ridiculous," Faramore concluded. "If not for this worthless advice, Saffiro would have been safe at home in his stall, instead of carousing at a tavern."

Mongo the Smith was out of town visiting his mother at the time of the writing of this article, and wasn't available for interview.

A reward is being offered for the return of Saffiro. He is dark brown horse with a white blaze across his face. He enjoys Val'Adrian Dark Ale and stories about pirates.

Shake it Up!

Local entrepreneur opens juice bar on Watkins Street just south of Market Square. This innovative new "restaurant" offers fresh fruit and vegetable juices with such selections as the strawberry watermelon "Pink Lady," "Tea-Licious," and a specialty featuring a combination of the famed Streylan Mint and honeydew melon. This sweet little concoction goes by the name "Dreven Dew." Stop in today for a free cookie and a cup of energizing, revitalizing juice!

by Remus Vlad

Spring is almost gone and things are heating up in Dreven. First off, we want to remind our gentle readers of the ones we are missing...

Lover or Thief?

Loren Silentstrider, the fabulous hunter extraordinare, has been missing since the ball at Stoneheart Keep. After scandalous behavior at the ball with no less than three women, that lower-class scoundrel apparently "burst into the stables and stole one of Kendra Rulyar's prime steeds." The terrified stable master claimed "a giant of a man in black and silver knocked him to the ground, threw the saddle roughly on the horse's back, jumped on, spurred the beast--nearly trampling me to death--and smashed through the doors, riding into the countryside like a demon." Inquiries with other attendants of the ball revealed that the scoundrel's costume was a black and silver domino affair. Makes one wonder if he was in such a hurry because the husband of one of his ladies demanded a duel to restore her honor. Maybe he is still in hiding because his other Lady of interest, the Arborian Ambassador, may not be pleased to hear of such adolescent behavior.

Nesting

Will the announcement of the upcoming high-ranking wedding in Balthazor finally lure Irmaa Vep out of her self-imposed exile? I think it is high time the Lady joins the rest of society again and impresses us with her new-found skills. Rumor has it that she has spent the last few years honing her homemaking skills while she is looking for Mister Right. Perhaps the Wedding will be the thorn in her side that reminds her she needs to look a little harder if she wishes to learn all about the bliss of a wedding night. Maybe if she starts to breed cows she could win the heart of a Luminiian Farmer?

How to be Whisked

Celes Dunhold, Captain of the Dreven Guard, seems to have disappeared from her old stomping grounds and off-duty drinking holes. At first I wanted to put the blame on the Steward for working the poor woman to death, but quickly discovered the horrible truth: Some crafty Thermadorian Broom salesman has swept the Captain off her feet and stolen her away to a hidden love nest! We wish them both the best; she will leave many broken hearts behind.

Beyond Pale

We've also noticed the frail and fading Triad -- or maybe 'lack of notice' is the more appropriate choice of phrase. Has the black market finally turned less lucrative and the Triad shifted its attention to invest in the wine business instead? Or is Miles Maudibe rather drinking his worries away, now that his star is fading in Dreven. It is said he cannot even impress Kendra Rulyar anymore, very sad news indeed...

From Bottle To Bed

Talking about drinking... Brom Stoneheart has finally found another way besides the Lotus bottle to get over his woes and pains. He is starting to seek the company of any woman available in Dreven, no matter size, age, or color. We caught him making eyes at the Crosswinds Tavern's resident Bird Lady. Somebody should warn the Tavern's newest patron, the lovely Mer woman Mara, about his recent behavior. I do wonder just how many marks he has made into his stick in the last few tendays, and what else he has caught. Dreven be warned: Lock all your women away! This man stops at nothing to get his entertainment, and he is kind of good-looking.

Can't See the Forest for the Trees!

Vixen Kirin Fand has surely settled into a nice routine now. She looks all too happy with her moral and culinary support of the Silver Moon Knights. Many of that fine Order enjoy her light-hearted banter and gorgeous baked offerings. It makes me wonder if she knows her own Knight has wandering eyes now that he has tamed that fae woman. Maybe she should toss that flour-covered apron of hers in the corner for a few days and spend more attention on the Major, who has had quite a few 'snacks' with other ladies in Dreven--and for sure not all of them were knightly business calls!

The Fine Art of War

Orphaned daughters of Knights are working their wiles on the local populace. Raine Tremayne, daughter of the famed Silver Moon Knight Ethan Tremayne and his vivomantic wife Shyla, has been having a go at batting her pretty lashes at All Things Male. Who knew the young one had it in her? For cycles she's been acting the part of the proper young lady, but she has lately been seen on several occasions flirting like a pro. Did she ever pull the wool over our eyes! And while she's busy dazzling men of all ages with her limpid emerald pools, Justine Lannister, daughter of Lord Keeper Lad Partaene of the (now defunct) Black Branch Knights and Silver Moon Knight Arya Lannister, marches about in her out-of-date and out-of-style black dragoon gear, armed like a porcupine and about as gentle as one as well. And the goal of this prickly young maid? Why, she intends to challenge and conquer the 'corrupt' Sisterhood of the Labyrinth in Balthazor and restore the glory of the Black Branch. All from the comfort and security of Dreven.

Lover's Try Angle

Baron Westin Knowles has been gone from Dreven for more than a cycle now. Maybe he is pouting because Kendra Rulyar has spent far too much time with her new drinking buddy Arnaud De Beau. Let's hope the two really only share the love of Arborian Wine or De Beau's wife Ana may decide to teach master Arnaud a few lessons on how we deal with husbands who flirt too much.

On to the Finer Things in Life

It is well known that the Bard Xiph Silvermoon knows how to stay ahead of any fashion trend, and is recognized for his flamboyant style and love of bright colors. He has recently agreed to take pretty Mik Gideonn under his wing and we rejoice at the thought of seeing Mik in more colorful outfits--a little exoticism to go with his exotic self! Strangely enough, the Bard and his new companion have been visiting tailors known for specializing in weddings and balls. Knowing no large formal events are planned in the next few cycles (in Dreven, at any rate) we have come to our own conclusion and wish the happy couple good luck on their upcoming journey through life. Teaches you one thing: you never know about those crazy elves.

Disclaimer: The statements and opinions of our gossip columnist are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of The Dreven Gazette staff, the printers, advertisers, or other persons or businesses named herein.