The Oracle
Fourth Passage of the Frost Moon
Gwynned Goes Through Bumpy Growth
The isle of Gwynned, recently established as its own province, is going through some trials as its residents and rulers strive to bring a sense of society to their isle. The six provinces – Gwynned, René, Llewellyn, Cullen, Olinda, and Shara Brae, finally have rulers, each one appointed by Queen Lillian. They were hand selected, and it is officially stated that they pledge allegiance, but not fealty, to the Queen. Which means that they have sworn not to attack or disgrace the Old World or Queen Lillian’s holdings, but they do stand apart as their own, individual province.
Gwynned represents a new challenge for Caradorian politics, as it is the first isle to hold so many provinces in such a small area. Other isles, such as the New World, contain individual provinces, however, due to the New World’s immense size, the boundaries of those provinces are never disputed. Rilhaven and Maelmuire pose the only exception. On Gywnned, lines of holding will need to be clearly marked, as each province is developing its own rules for hunting, forestry, and disturbance of Fae.
A healthy population is moving to the isle, though many are holding off until spring – this first winter will be a hard one, as no growing season was allotted before settlement began. Anyone living on the isle will have to rely on hunting, gathering, magic, or importing to obtain food.
The vision of Gywnned is one where magic can be re-introduced into the world, mixed with a more traditional way of life. Knighthoods are being established, many rulers are giving villages a high degree of autonomy, and it is hoped that honor and the adventurous spirit can co-mingle in this new, fresh land.
One of Gwynned’s greatest challenges will be establishing a rapport with the strong Fae influence present on the isle. By all reports, both beneficent and baneful Fae abound on the isle, making life a bit more interesting than on other isles where the Fae keep to the deep forests.
It is hoped that the spring will bring a rapid stabilization upon the isle, and then we will likely hear more about the new provinces.
Lord Kieran
Rogue Mage Pesters Aranor
"Give us a rationale," said Mirin, of the River District Guard. "A reason."
He refers to the recent bizarre happenings in the River District – a portion of the river was found frozen solid, lamps have mysteriously burned out, and sections of cobblestone street have been reduced to mud. At first people were positing the existence of some strange force or happenstance, but it was quickly deduced that the effects exactly matched those available to an adept of Elemental magic.
"It’s clear that we have a mage or majae who’s just going around causing trouble," Mirin said, "but so far they haven’t been seen, and the ruin seems to be without purpose. At least no one’s getting hurt, but the damage is costing the city quite a bit of gold."
Since Aranor was founded, magic has been allowed to be freely practiced, as long as there are not ‘blatant public displays’. Actions of this sort have the potential to damage that policy. Could that be the reason for the damages – to make the city re-think its magical policies? But if so, why would a mage or majae attempt to make it harder to practice their own art?
Lidellia, a member of Illumination, actively practiced magic during the Goddard reign.
"The motive," she says, "may be to bring the power of magic back into the hands of more potent practitioners. The allowance of public magic use has encouraged many people of lesser talent to study the art, simply because it is no longer illegal to do so. There are definitely ‘old school’ magicians who would prefer to have magic illegal once again – that way only the most powerful are sanctioned to practice by the rulership. Unfortunately for whoever’s doing this, I don’t think it’s going to work. There are a pile of magicians out there looking for this person – once they’re discovered, the only reward they’ll likely get is a few unpleasant spells aimed in their direction. And if they manage to extract themselves from that, they’re going to have some answering to do to the city guard."
The guard has vowed to capture the rogue by the end of the next passage.
Tania
Drum Circles Fill the Night
"It was an experiment," says Latita, a Shavay woman who drums for various dancers in the city. "The people of my tribe believe that drums merge our inner cycles with the inner cycles of nature – drumming is a spiritual connection, a communion. Our thought was to get every drummer in the city to begin a beat that would resound throughout the entire city of Aranor, and help to guide us all toward more natural cycles. Something that’s really needed as we progress in our sense of civilization."
The drumming didn’t quite reach the proportions that Latita hoped, but nevertheless, a huge amount of drummers participated, beginning at midnight and spurring more than one account of angry neighbors contacting the guard or even attempting to stop the drumming themselves.
"We definitely weren’t trying to get people angry," says Latita.
The effect, though, was profound for a number of residents of the city, who did not know from where the sound was emerging.
"It was amazing," said Anna, a young woman who lives in the Merchant District. "I felt a sound even before I heard it – a deep throbbing. And when I went outside, it seemed to be coming from everywhere, filling the night. I didn’t know that this drumming thing was going on, and to me it sounded more like the world itself was giving up a beat, a rhythm. It was vicious."
Latita, one of the main organizers of the event, promises that the public will be better informed if they repeat the ceremony, and that the drumming will be kept short.
Tirian
