Third Passage of the Melting Moon

A ship carrying more than two million’s worth of gems and coin has sunk, presumably near Teran’s Point. The Dolphin, a sleek, well-armed ship usually used as an escort, had been hired to carry the dowry of Lady Isanna of Faol to Masalla, where she was to be wed. The fleet of three ships was nearing Teran’s Point when a terrible storm broke upon them – the Dolphin was swept toward shore, and the crews of the other two ships watched helplessly as the Dolphin broke up on the cliff-shore. When they later searched for survivors, they found only floating wreckage, along with two bodies on the shoreline.

Three chests held the dowry treasure, which included one of the world’s largest known cat’s-eye emeralds.

The wedding has been called off on account of lack of a dowry, and Lady Isanna is returning to Faol.

Adventurers are flocking to the area in an attempt to recover the treasure.

Tirian

A new spa which opened last moon, Provincial Pleasures, was offering private baths in legendary provincial waters – water imported from special springs in Moraithe, Masalla, Jedda, Lantrielle, and even Japura.

As it swiftly became known that the bath ‘attendants’ were available for more than fetching oils and soaps, the spa gained swift criticism from nobles who decried it as nothing more than a twilight house.

Now, however, the spa faces greater charges, for an investigation has found that the ‘provincial waters’ were nothing more than water from the Silver River, scented with various oils and sometimes lightly dyed to give it a ‘sheen’.

Aranorian authorities are currently deciding what to do with the owner, who attempted to flee when authorities moved in on the business.

Provincial baths at the spa costed anywhere from 300 to 4,000 silver each.

Tania

The former Borderguard of Rilhaven, composed of seasoned veterans of war, have managed to hold their position. Reports tell that two of their eight fortified towers have fallen, but that the Rilhaven/Maelmuirian allied soldiers had to pull back and return to Rilhaven to treat the injured and replenish supplies.

"The Borderguard knows those lands," said Aradell of Illumination. "They’ll be setting traps, capturing and training animals for war – they think of these as ‘their lands’."

King Niall of Rilhaven has vowed to drive them out – with the Borderguard holding their positions, a land route bridging Maelmuire and Rilhaven is impossible.

The Borderguard have sent a missive to King Niall explaining their rationale – that these lands are their home, and that they will defend it against both Maelmuirians and the soldiers of Rilhaven.

The Borderguard have centralized their defenses in an old Eldritch tower which seems to withstand battery by catapult. Rumors are circulating that they have captured village women to keep their men company, and are forcing some of the men into slavery. However, their missive insists that they want only peace, and will cease aggression as soon as King Niall and King Lambrodegh sign a joint treaty which gives the rebels their own lands.

"The kings will have to consider carefully," says Aradell. "The Borderguard aren’t just some disgruntled men. These are some of the world’s toughest fighters. Doing battle with them will come at a heavy cost."

Lord Kieran

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