The Oracle
Fourth Passage of the Cricket Moon
Famous Bandit Escapes from Ulren Dungeons
It is said that no one escapes from the Ulren Dungeons of Masalla, an ancient pit of stone and cells where the worst of criminals spend their lives in the dank underground. A judgement that sends you to the Ulren Dungeons is a judgement for life. How, then, did a man escape?
His name is Karsha, and he is the child of a Masallan princess and a Shavay performer. For the past three years he has made an infamous reputation for himself as a rather swashbuckling, handsome, and successful bandit throughout Masalla. Many felt that he would soon be achieving legendary status, and feared and loved him muchly at the same time. That was until he attempted to kidnap the daughter of a wealthy merchant and was captured in the city of Calit de Om.
His trial found him guilty as a rogue who had committed eighteen separate verifiable crimes, and largely because of his popularity, he was sent to Ulren in order to give an example to the populace.
And now, less than three moons after his imprisonment, he is gone.
“Ulren Dungeon is in an area bereft of magic, and is sealed beyond all hope of human escape. Furthermore, it is guarded by people who are not . . . normal, and there is no chance of someone bribing a guard.” This from a sage who has studied the history of the dungeon extensively. He went on – “The dungeons are of ancient design, and are quite vast. There are said to be literally thousands of cells, and some people are just put there and forgotten, able to survive only by eating worms and rats, and licking the water that seeps from some of the walls.”
A terrible place indeed. And Karsha seems to simply have vanished from his cell. No dead guards, no breached doors save his cell-door.
A strange mystery, and one that will only grow deeper if Karsha once again makes himself known in the lands of Masalla.
Tirian
Latallan Bull Stolen
In Auralay, on the western edge of the New World, dwell the most famous cows in the known lands – those of Latallan breeding. The cattle are world-renowned for their exquisitely tender and flavourful meat, meat that is usually tasted by noble tongues alone. In order to assure the freshest flesh possible, the cows are often shipped alive to the lands where they will be killed and eaten. But to assure the sanctity of the line, bulls are never sent.
In the great pastures that rise up into the hills and mountains near Auralay, and stretch along the shore, professional guards keep careful watch over the herds. They are famous for their keen senses and uncanny fighting skills. Many people die attempting to steal a cow. But now, for the first time, a bull has been stolen.
It was apparently taken by a large force of men near the shore, and ushered onto a small ship that sped to the south. The plan of the captors? Undoubtedly to breed the bull with a Latallan cow and establish an alternate supply of the famous beef. Now that they have escaped, there is little to stop them.
Tania
New Silk from Jedda
Over three hundred varieties of silk hail from Jedda Felsuin, from lesser qualities that are akin to fine Moraithian silks to the legendary Fire Silk, which is largely unavailable on the open market. The Noshi family of silkmakers has now added another variety to the offerings, and one that promises to achieve great fame and renown.
I had the opportunity to see a bolt recently imported by the Ardenai family of Aranor.
What met my eyes was a rather unimpressive-looking bolt of grey fabric that did not strike me as remarkable until it was in my hands and held up in the sunlight.
The touch of the silk was creamy and thick, so smooth that it nearly felt as if a light lotion was somehow affixed to the surface. It was explained to me that the silk is extremely strong, and that its color, like many Jeddan silks, was natural, and not dyed. Thus it holds its color for much longer than dyed fabrics. The color of it was fascinating in the sunlight, with lustrous hints of hue and motion that emerged each time the fabric was bent. I seemed to sense rich purples hidden deep within the fabric’s folds.
Finally, the silk is incredible for one more notable feature that is new to silks of all types – a scent.
“The smell, too, is natural,” I was told by Anara Ardenai. “The making of it is a secret, of course, but the worms which spin the silk are fed upon a certain essence which imparts the scent.”
The smell is reminiscent of old stone and dew on spring flowers. That’s how it’s described, and peculiar as it sounds, that is the impression that I was left with.
Though expensive, the silk, named Audoro, or 'Grey Moon' silk, will be available on the open market within a moon.
Lord Kieran
