The Oracle
Fourth Passage of the Dry Moon
Eldritch Vessel Sighted?
Crew aboard the Seahawk, only a few hours out of port from Mina’s Quay in Masalla, reported this strange vision –
"We saw the most awe-inspiring ship, just as the first touch of dawn was coming. The winds had been soft, and all of a sudden they began to pick up and toss about, so that we had to tend our sails. It was then that the sighting was called, and we all looked out from our posts. We saw a huge and eerie thing, looming out of the dark. At first we thought it some beast – an ancient, spine-crusted dragon with huge wings stretching out into the sky. But the sun grew fuller and brighter, and thereupon the strange creature resolved into a ship, but no ship like ever we had seen. It seemed made of black steel, armoured against attack, and odd things were upon the deck-- weapons it appeared. People were aboard, too, though barely visible from the distance. White-fleshed and black-haired, leading strange animals upon leashes. They must have seen us, too, for the ship veered its course (away from us, thank the gods), and disappeared over the waves with a speed that belied its hugeness. When it passed, so passed the winds, so that we were sitting in a stillness that lasted some hours before a breeze – natural, this time, we were sure – came at last."
The event so shook the sailors that they returned to Mina’s Quay and reported the incident, worried as they were that some danger might be imminent for Masalla. Sages there could only guess, based mostly on the descriptions of the people, that the ship belonged to Eldritch race. The only reports we have of Eldritch ships come from histories of Maelmuire, and they were not vivid in their descriptions, so we know not what their watercraft might be like. Until the strange craft and its people make another appearance, we’ll have to wonder.
Lord Kieran
Guild Parade Decorates Merchant District Streets
Young and old alike crowded the avenues and main streets of the Merchant District last An Tir as the first annual Guild Festival paraded its way to Mossy Square. There the public gathered afterwards for fun and demonstrations.
"This is a chance for all the guilds of the Merchant District to introduce themselves and make known their skills to the public," said Loree, head of the Merchant District Guild Council. "We’re excited to offer our skills to the city and to encourage people to take up the finer arts through possible apprenticeships."
The parade not only showcased numerous businesses, but gave a chance for area merchants to get to know each other.
"This is all about people," Loree said, "and celebrating the skills that make our city what it is. Next year’s will be even grander, with even more demonstrations planned."
A glimpse into the secrets behind many of the objects we use every day and much of the art we hold in such high esteem should prove to make interesting exhibits indeed.
Tania
Mystery Lights on Far Tower
Even guards flocked to the base of the Far Tower last An Tiné to see the lights. The Far Tower, one of the highest vantages in the city and a reminder of our roots with its murals that portray the founding of Aranor, has become much more popular of late, as strange, pulsing lights have been seen emanating from the top of the tower and even, sometimes, within it.
"I was walking up there, late at night, with a few of my friends," I was told by Shane, who lives not too far away in the Dock District. "All of a sudden there was this light up there, and we thought someone was up there with a lantern. Well, we went up the rest of the way, and when we got to the top, there was the light – but no one was holding it. It just sort of pulsed and swayed, changing from yellow to a bluish-goldish sort of color. Let me tell you, we’ve never ran down those stairs so fast before, ever!"
No one has yet discovered the true source of the light, though if you stand in the crowd down below, you’ll get plenty of opinions. "Ghosts." "Mastfire." "Faeries." "Wisps."
Whatever it is, it has been appearing with uncanny regularity every night for the last six days.
"Such strange lights are becoming more and more common," I was told by Fendragon, a self-proclaimed mystic who sat below the tower, gazing up. "They’re not any of these things people are saying here – they’re something else entirely. Something we don’t understand."
Understand them or not, people are eager enough to see them. If you want to see them yourself, you’ll have to fight the crowds.
Tirian
