Third Passage of the Autumn Moon

"There’s more excitement over here than there is overseas," said Matteus, who was posted to a newly inaugurated Jeddan District Guard. He recently was in charge of disbanding a clash in the Jeddan District that left one man dead.

The excitement revolves around rumors that forces for the Emperor and Empress are actively seeking to gain support in Aranor, capital of the Old World. I talked with a man professing to be an agent of the Emperor, who spoke only on condition of anonymity.

"Aranor is the power of the world. The two key players are Queen Lillian and her mage, Lord Faol. But those two, particularly the Queen, are swayed by the tides of her people. If the people come to support the Emperor, so shall the Queen, and so shall her mage."

By distributing generous gifts to people of high standing and spreading ‘the truth’ regarding the Empress, he hopes to gain the favor of the people of Aranor, who will then deliver pressure for the Queen to support the Emperor’s interests.

And indeed, there seems to be a keen awareness in the city of the possibility of war in Jedda. The question most asked is this – what does each side stand for? That answer is not easily given, despite the fact that I consulted numerous experts and sages.

The Emperor seems to favor the idea of a high class ruling justly over a lower class, and defines rigid caste lines. He stands for civilization, enhanced technology, and a highly organized government. His detractors say that he is responsible for assassinations, torture, and enforcement of caste boundaries by restricting goods and even food to the lower classes. They say that he devastates natural lands to build his military and cities, with no regard to native human populations or fae.

The Empress is said to leave more of the rulership to the people, and has more fluid castes, allowing people to rise or fall on their own accord. Dwelling on a smaller island, she is said to be especially cognizant of keeping wild lands wild and protecting the fae. But her opponents are quick to point out that she has ordered horrific tortures and utilizes foul methods to achieve her ends, such as mass poisonings and dark sorceries.

To discover the truth would probably take quite a bit of actual observation over in Jedda Felsuin. But whether we choose knowledge or ignorance, we’re sure to hear more about the clash in the passages to come.

Tirian

The shores of Masalla are becoming, of late, a common sighting ground for the most uncommon of ships. Large and strange of appearance, they have begun to stir fear into the hearts of sailors.

"I’ve seen them twice," said a sailor ported in Aranor. "Oddest things you’ll ever imagine. Like unearthly upside-down spiders moving over the water. Eldritch for sure."

No accurate count can be given on how many sightings have been had, for the Masallan docks are astir with rumors and tales, some doubtless exaggerated. But at least one sighting has been reported nearer to home, along the southern shore of the Old World.

"I’ve gathered all the reports I can," said Miralai, a Mistress Navigator who teaches others in the trade. "If we can make any sense of their routing, I’d guess that they’re traveling between the western coast of the New World and the isle of Ciralé in Masalla. It remains only to discover why."

If the Eldritch are truly afoot in the world again, one can only conjecture what such news might bode.

Lord Kieran

As colder weather looms imminent, new fashions begin to find their places on the people of Aranor.

"Aranor has become the center of fashion," says Natasha of ‘Butterfly Wings’, an avant-garde fashion shoppe in the River District. "What begins here carries throughout the Old and New World, and even as far as Moraithe and Masalla."

The late summer fashion of wearing hats has evolved into furred caps, and moving down from there, has inspired a ‘Northern’ look.

"Expect to see a lot of outward-facing fur," says Natasha. "Especially thick varieties of pure colors – whites and blacks and greys. Furred cloaks, especially, worn with knee-high, high-heeled boots to accentuate the length of the body and give the feel of the tall Northern figure. Expect bosoms to be enhanced, even with illusion, as the full coverage of winter clothes more easily allows for such illusions to appear real. And we’ll see lips as the focus of the face, with bold, dark colors and full outlining – all in an attempt to achieve the Northern woman’s full, robust look and feel.

Accessories, I’m told, will include furred scarves, gloves, and mittens, as well as fur-trimmed boots.

All of which has the huntsmen and huntswomen more than occupied trying to catch some of the bear, wolf, wolverine, fox, and coyote who will be providing us with their lustrous coats.

Tania

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