Third Passage of the Plowing Moon

The owner of a newly imported giant Moraithian Noose Spider approached the Selarum city guard last An Maad and announced that the spider had escaped its enclosure and was loose in the city. After quickly assessing the danger, criers were dispatched to warn parents not to allow children to wander unattended until the spider can be found.

"The spider requires a specially modified magical environment to be kept alive," said Ash, of the Selarum city guard. "One cold night could kill it. Unfortunately, it’s possible that if we do get a cold night, it will try to seek warmth by entering a house or curling up near a chimney."

In a private interview, the owner told us that the spider can be quite dangerous.

"It’s a beautiful creature, with black and yellow markings and small, silverish patches along its side, that almost look like mirrors. It’s named the Noose Spider because of its rather unusual method of using its web to take prey. Unfortunately, one of its assets is a powerful poison and a high level of aggressiveness. A small child could be in grave danger if he or she encountered the spider."

The spider has been described as being the size of a dog.

"We generally make every attempt to capture rather than kill," said Ash. "It’s easier on the bystanders. But if we see this creature, I’m afraid all it’s going to get from us is a belly full of arrows. It’s simply too dangerous."

Although the owner, who asked not to have his name disclosed, agreed, it was with regret.

"It’s my own fault that this marvelous creature got loose. And my own fault that it must die. But nothing else can be done."

Tirian

"He fought the illness bravely," I was told by Lord Arashelle, Prime Masallan Ambassador to Aranor. "His life was long, and his reign honorable and peaceful. He brought pride to the Avorine name."

He will be remembered for the fairness with which he bestowed reparations upon the people of Sehra, those known by us as gypsies, for past wrongs done to them, and for the restoration of numerous artifacts and ruins near the isle of Masalla.

"He was always a lover of history and Masallan culture," said Lord Arashelle. "Much history which would otherwise have been lost has been preserved by his attentions."

His death marks the end of a generation, for his wife and two brothers, as well as their wives, are already dead. He left eight children and their families.

"Prince Ellian, the eldest, disappeared during a hunt on the isle of Lotarn, so his reign will be followed by that of Prince Nedarn. Nedarn Avorine, hereafter King Avorine the Twelfth, promises to continue the glorious reign of the Avorines, and will strive for the ideals of freedom, justice, and the propitiation of good and cultured morals throughout the lands of Carador."

The coming moons will be filled with the ceremony and details of a fresh Kingship, but then we should begin to see the effects of his new rule.

King Avorine the Twelfth is sixty-three years old. His wife, the new Queen of Masalla, is named Anabelle, after the famous Anabelle Alais of Masallan history, and they have four children, with the eldest male and new heir apparent, being Prince Adaan.

Lord Kieran

A raging fire spread through the southwest section of the Jeddan District last An Meja, destroying eighteen homes. Luckily, no one was killed.

I spoke to Keeshita, one of the Aranorian Jeddan District city guards.

"We have ample evidence that point to this being an attack upon the people of the Emperor by the people of the Empress. You see, while real wars are waged in Jedda between the two factions, here in the Jeddan District, those wars are waged symbolically, because they are a part of our culture. The ‘battles’ are fought through parades, contests, and intrigues. But this seems to be the first actual violence associated with the tradition. It appears that some people are getting quite out of hand."

Although the guard of Aranor has a policy of staying removed from cultural demonstrations in the various districts, Keeshita told me that they won’t be tolerant of actual violence, or, in this case, destruction of the city.

"We are actively infiltrating the ranks of the elite of both the Emperor and theEmpress," she said. "We’re going to find out who did this, and deliver a very powerful message that will discourage any other behavior of this sort. Fires spread, and we’ve been told that this fire was meant to burn down a single house. It didn’t. It burned eighteen."

"There is some intrigue brewing in Jedda Felsuin," Keeshita said. "Unfortunately, I think it’s creating some waves over here, because of the large Jeddan community."

Ajita, an underground movement hoping to lend power to the Empress in the actual province of Jedda, is presumed responsible.

Tania

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