First Passage of the Melting Moon

Until last passage, Aranor was home to an estimated eighty or ninety Japurans. Today, that number stands at over three hundred.

"We were very surprised when we saw the ships," said Kaden, the dockmaster who first saw the ships approaching. "We weren’t sure if they were warships! So we summoned the guard."

The seven ships anchored far out in the bay, however, and sent in a small boat. The lone passenger, who spoke fluent Caradorian, explained the situation.

Over two hundred Japurans, of all ages, managed to flee the city of Rashid, where Taren wars were making life impossible. Tarens are passed from ruling family to ruling family via such wars, but the immigrants say that this instance was the worst they could ever remember, and that the current ruling family, in danger of falling, was forcing common citizens to take up weapons.

The men who orchestrated the escape admitted to stealing all seven vessels, and all the immigrants fear retaliation from Japura, though it is a historical fact that Japura has never pursued citizens who flee the province.

Although the increase in Japurans won’t be very noticeable, some sages are hoping that they will begin to add more Japuran culture to the Aranorian atmosphere.

The seven Japuran ships, of various styles, will be auctioned by the city of Aranor, with the gold being divided between all the Japuran immigrants.

Lord Kieran

Tia is a cute, blonde Moraithian who no one would suspect of wrongdoing. But when she came to Aranor two days ago with eighteen Moraithian slaves on board her ship, Aranorian authorities were at a loss. While taking slaves from Aranor has been outlawed, there are no official rules regarding the selling of slaves in Aranor. Tia, claiming that she spoke to ‘numerous officials’ before bringing her slaves to Aranor to be sold, is insisting on her right to sell them.

The slaves, most of Shavay, Masallan, and Jeddan descent, have been stuck on Tia’s ship as she parlays with the Aranorian guard.

"It is clearly understood that we don’t sell slaves in Aranor," said Janus, one of the guards working the case. "She’s just trying to play a game."

While most Aranorians are outraged, a few have been voicing their right to purchase slaves. Apparently Tia brought a number of prospective buyers aboard her ship before Aranorian authorities learned what she was doing.

"She has some very fine-looking slaves in there," said Janus. "None speak Caradorian – it’s suspected that they are gypsies from Sehra, members of a particular tribe in Shavay, and members of a jungle tribe from Jedda Felsuin."

The matter is being brought before Princess Meagan, who is standing in for Queen Lillian while she visits Llewellyn.

Tirian

To the Oracle Main Page

To the Oracle Collection-- Year Five