Issue 10
Tuesday, December 21st, 2004







Shadows of Despair: [M] Word has spread about severe haunting within the forests of Ansteorra, the first to speak of this were those soldiers who fled a massacre within the confines of those same woods, they spoke of the trees coming alive and tearing their companions limb from limb, and the spirits of those slain not moving on to the afterlife as should have otherwise been the case. Travelers that are not themselves slain by the vengeful wraiths, return to the civilized portions of Calenndor gibbering in their insanity, or at least telling of the great horrors that they saw, and the insubstantial spirits that had taken on such grotesque features to cause the living to fear.

Recently a retired soldier residing within the village of Riverside, near the haunted woodlands, has been attempting to gather a group of adventurers to investigate the occurrences and possibly fix them. Several speak of him paying handsomely for the adventure, but so far no one has been interested in risking their necks.

Liberator's Downfall: [M]: Damien Reelin, savior of the Kebeyen Republic, traitor to the Freelands, and leader of the Republic is believed to have been murdered. Though the death of this individual had occurred over a year and a half ago, people still speak of it, some with pride, and others with remorse for one who had sought peace and failed horribly with the resurgence of the Ansteorran Monarchy. The latter emerged typically from rebel factions within the newly reclaimed nation, and within the Republic itself, yet even some among them had doubts.

Everyone knew how their glorious leader had been captured by the forces of Ansteorra, and found it easy enough to believe that those had been the ones who had slain their master. Yet even with this ease in finding an answer, a body had never been found or seen and so rumors had sprung up, most at the expense of the nominated replacement High Chancellor of the Kebeyen Republic. The rumors spoke of the possibility of their lord having not perished at the hands of the insurrectionists, but rather having fled captivity only to be captured by that aforementioned individual.

While the claims were unfounded with any actual evidence, it was an attitude that those who still bore ill-will to the current government embellished joyously. It is known that Mazus has been pressing for quite some time within the council, for that particular rumor to be banned, and those spreading it to be tried in the courts as traitors. These efforts on the part of the former governor was largely regarded as a poor move by the educated community, as it gave further ground for the tales to grow upon.


Stalkers of the Night [M]: Rumors concerning the areas around the capital and within the containment by the new monarchy's borders are on the rise. It seems a band of creatures minute in stature have been making frequent raids upon Ansteorran encampments. Such figures have also been sighted raiding points where conflict between nations had occured only moments prior. It is also believed that these beings even going as far as to pick off survivors to increase their spoils. Few reliable reports about the description of the humanoids have been made, apart from that they are vast in number, and all of extremely short stature. This of course leads thought to believe that they are a wandering band of halflings, but the large numbers of said individuals and the unusual, if sparse, tracks say differently. Another odd factor seems to be the dissappearance of all things shiny from the dead. Not just the purse of gold or the occasional suit of armor, but in fact all things lusterous in nature.



Beneath the Ice: [M]: Within the sewer systems of the capital city Ansteorra, dwell rebel sympathizers, those who still resisted the reclamation of Ansteorra by the current monarchy. This was a fact everyone knew, though that was essentially the only thing anyone knew. The name of the rebel leader wasn't known. Their true strength wasn't known. Their ability to obtain supplies, both weaponry and foodstuffs wasn't known. Worst of all however, nothing was known regarding the possibility of further revolutionaries within the city itself was known, though it was reasonable to assume a few at least dwelt within the midsts of the normal folk.

These matters alone wouldn't matter unduly within the minds of the common folk, yet lately the activities of those insurgents had grown steadily more bold, and violent. Acts ranging from arson, to kidnappings, to murder, to petty theft had grown more and more frequent, sparking vigilantes on the side of the current government as well. Matters are growing worse day by day, despite the attempts of the authorities to quell the acts.

Ascension:Despite the rumors surrounding the rapid rise of power within the Republic, Eryn Mazus, Lord of the Republic, and former governor of the Ansteorra district, is expected to become High Chancellor within the week. Nominated by the master of the Rising Phoenix, the mistress of the Republican Acolyte's Commune, and the head researcher of the Head-Researcher of the War Labs, along with his support among the military, has caused a situation in which the vote is merely a formality.

Evolution:The Prophet, who had been the chosen adviser of the previous High Chancellor had vanished after saving those of the council who had been within Ansteorra prior to it's downfall. To replace his physical services, Lord Mazus had commissioned something the leader of the War-Labs had termed in a feat of total unoriginality, 'The Hunters'. These creations of magic had served with the Intelligence division of the Rising Phoenix in slaying all those against the Republic who had crossed the border. No survivors have yet been able to give any details about these creatures, largely because there were no such individuals. Only rumors about the beasts were given, each more elaborate then the last, but whatever form they might possess, the things had yet to fail in their task, and the border remained secure so may be assumed to be particularly formidable.

Dawning Age:With the new year comes celebration, shops and homes are decorated through the the land, and a festive spirit rests in the air despite the many ailments of the people. Plague lays within New Austia, rebellion and death lie in the Republic and Ansteorra, and all lands have their minor problems, yet for a few weeks at least the promise of many grand celebrations drowns out such thoughts from the populace. With the first snowfall not far off now, peasants look eagerly forward to the prospects of the New Year. All are encouraged to take part. Celebrate, be merry.