The Oracle
Second Passage of the Melting Moon
A Dark Day for the Knighthood
Queen Lillian's Aranorian knights suffered their first losses last passage in a brutal conflict with Sereg. During the third passage of the Ice Moon, one of Jalpa's outlying estates suffered an attack by Sereg, resulting in heavy destruction and looting, as well as the capture of the family's wife and two daughters. Queen Lillian promptly sent twelve of her newly formed Aranorian knights to assess the Sereg threat and take action if necessary.
"Our knights are highly trained fighters equipped with the most modern and powerful of weaponry and armor," said Lanaea, one of the women in charge of training the knights. "These four were being a little too bold, and weren't prepared for the reality of combat with Sereg."
The four knights were attempting to locate the Sereg camp when they were attacked by a group of six heavily armed Sereg. Three of the knights were brought down and their fate remains uncertain, while one managed to escape, though not unscathed. His name is Archer.
"They took us completely by surprise, emerging from behind boulders and attacking with arrows. We charged immediately, but their weapons- primarily axes and cudgels, ripped into our armor with ease. I was brought down first, but managed to regain my horse during the melee. My companions were not so lucky, and when I saw that the battle was not to be won, I made for Jalpa to report the incident."
Apparently some of the Sereg were injured in the fight, but none fell.
"We're aggressively looking into this matter," Lanaea said, "and reconsidering some of our training tactics. Unfortunately, there's no training like real life, and that's the advantage the Sereg have over us, as most of them are accomplished raiders and fighters."
At this time, no more was to be learned of the matter.
Lord Kieran
Nightfaire Coming to Aranor
Riders arrived from Selarum at the end of last passage hailing the arrival of the infamous Nightfaire. This is the first time it will come to Aranor.
The faire is a traveling affair, consisting of perhaps thirty or forty people who set themselves up in a town and stay for a passage or two. The riders are saying that they might stay longer in Aranor - perhaps for a moon.
The Nightfaire brings a strange element with it. It is open only from dusk to dawn, and consists of a maze of tents and booths. Strange beasts are displayed in cages, odd substances and potions are sold, magic is common, and the hosts will do all they can to part you with your gold. It is said that illegitimate activities also take place.
The entire atmosphere is said to be one of spooky people, odd sights, and haunting experiences.
The Nightfaire will arrive in a passage or so, and is to set up camp on the old Aranorian battlefield outside of the western gate. Their enclosure will be walled, and it will cost two silver to get in. It will only be open after dark, of course.
Tirian
Gryphon Sighted Near Docks
9; "I first saw it coming from the north, low over the water," said Naven, who originally sighted the beast. "It looked like some huge, ill-formed bird, flapping with great strokes of its wings. I shouted and pointed, and soon a whole crowd was looking at it."
The gryphon approached to within about a hundred paces of the docks, banked up to clear an incoming ship, and then continued to the south. It was a medium-sized specimen, with white feathers streaked and tipped with brown, and black fur.
"Gryphons are high fliers," I was told by Jerek, a young sage who specializes in native animals of the Old World. "It was unusual to see one so low. Likely it was chased out of its territory by a dragon or other large predator, and was flying south looking for a new home. It poses no threat whatsoever to the people of Aranor. This is a reclusive animal that has no interest in towns or villages."
Still, it was a rare and majestic sight that will be forever remembered by the hundred or so people lucky enough to glimpse it.
Tania
