The Oracle
Fourth Passage of the Melting Moon
Japuran Ambassador Coming to Aranor
Raj Atarre, a high figure in Japuran society, is slated to arrive within the next few passages to engage in discussions with Queen Lillian.
"What," I asked Regent Storm, "will these talks be regarding?"
"In truth," she replied, "we are not entirely sure. Japura, of course, is a closed province, allowing no trade or outside visitors. It is possible that the Raj is coming for talk of trade or some other form of political alliance. Perhaps this is only a holiday for him. We received word of his upcoming arrival two moons past, and his missive stated that he wished audience with the Queen. She accepted, and I fear I know little more."
It remains only within the realms of speculation, then. But it is surely significant that such an esteemed visitor is arriving from such a closed land. Perhaps we shall see some communications opening at last.
"Doubtful," states Teran LaJael, an expert on all matters Japuran. "Their culture is divided into many, many factions, all of which would oppose a breach as prominent as forging political relations with outsiders. That is an old and well-established policy among the Japuran elite. My guess is that this is a young prince, playing with his power to get an audience with Queen Lillian. Nothing more."
We shall follow the circumstances, and report anything of note.
Lord Kieran
Illumination Enlightens the Land
Founded one year ago, Illumination is a group of twelve individuals who have devoted themselves to the spread of Queen Lillian’s renaissance movement. By publishing books on subjects ranging from histories to fascinating tales of everyday people, they’re attempting to ‘spread the light of knowledge’.
"We work through writing," said Emily, Illumination’s youngest member. "We’re funded primarily by Lord Anthony Marsaela, so we can keep the prices of our publications low, and do much in the way of spreading enlightenment. One of Goddard’s most potent tools for keeping people repressed was his active tampering with knowledge. Within the old regime, knowledge was filtered and sifted before it reached the common class. Now that Queen Lillian has dispensed with such filtering, hundreds of years of ignorance can be wiped away."
The publications of Illumination are marked with their seal, a golden goblet, which Emily told me symbolizes ‘drinking in the abundance of the world’. Through Illumination, the common class is at last getting easy access to knowledge regarding other cultures, magic, and many of the strange, little-known creatures and places which inhabit our world. All this results in more and more instances of common folk holding intelligent discussion on matters which were known only to sages and kings in the past.
An unverified report states that Queen Lillian has donated a large sum of gold to the project from her personal coffers, stating that the effort is ‘delightful and . . . illuminating."
Tania
Wolf Roams the City
Paralleling a similar event last year, a large wolf has been repeatedly sighted in the city.
"It should be remembered," said Jaenus, who is the head caretaker of the city park, "that the park is huge, and mostly wilderness. Many animals live there, and there is doubtless some circulation of animals even through the city gates."
Much fear of lycanthropy has been whispering through the streets, but the city guard issued this proclamation, posted on message boards throughout the city.
Wolves are elusive and private animals. The wolf sighted recently is the same wolf sighted last year, and makes its home in the city park. Though large and frightening of appearance, it has never harmed anyone, but retreats from human contact. Nevertheless, make no attempt to disturb the beast if you sight it.
Personally, I doubt if it truly is the same beast. The recent sightings tell of a near-black female wolf, while last year’s reports told of a large grey male. Some people fear that lycanthropes are slowly infiltrating the city."Saravai, where lycanthropes are exiled, is no longer patrolled, as it was during the Goddard Times," said a man who wishes to remain unidentified. "There is nothing stopping them from building ships and coming to shore here on the Old World. Wouldn’t you be angry if someone had torn you away from your home and sent you away to an island populated by monsters? And what better revenge than to inflict us with their disease?"
Numerous bands of huntsmen and huntswomen are scouring the park to find and kill the beast.
"They won’t even see it," said Alara, a professional huntswoman. "Like last year’s animal, this is no ordinary wolf. It’s here for a reason, and won’t leave until it’s done. If you want my advice, you should all do a bit of research on dire wolves."
Another possibility then, though whether it is more comforting than the lycanthropy theory is a matter of opinion.
Tirian
