First Passage of the Rain Moon

The famous Moors of the New World are finding themselves challenged by a woman whom some tout as the ‘greatest explorer the world has ever seen’.

Alshaea, a fifty-year veteran of exploring nearly all the lands of Carador, says that she will ‘unveil the mysteries of the Moors’. She has done mapping and documented animals, plants, and strange phenomenon in Jedda, Japura, Shavay, Moraithe, the Old World, and Inidor.

"The New World," she says, "is one of the greatest frontiers we know. Though officially civilized, most of it remains wilderness. And the scope of that wilderness is unbelievable. Imagine fifteen or sixteen Old Worlds put together, and you’ve got an inkling of the amount of unexplored wilderness over there. There could be entire civilizations of which we know naught!"

The Moors, of course, are famous for their odd happenings and misleading pathways. Although they can be passed through if one keeps to the main roads, exploring off the roads has proven a futile task.

"I’ve great respect for Alshaea," says Nathan, one of Alshaea’s contemporaries. "But I’ve been to the Moors myself, and there’s no reason to them. The lands shift from day to day, and your mind plays tricks on you. If she ventures too deep, I’d wager that this will be the last we’ll hear of her exploits."

Lord Kieran

A priceless stone, called the "Love of Heaven" is being donated to the Museum of Jalpa in honor of Lady Lorna and Lord Niall.

The rock is the size of a man’s fist, and is Carador’s most perfect specimen of Liathan topaz ever found.

It was mined eighteen years ago in the Maelmuirian mines near the famed and haunted Liathan vineyards. The original gem was cut into sixteen smaller gems, the "Love of Heaven" being the largest. It was then sold for the price of sixteen million silver to one Lord Evaan Tarshay of Masalla.

"Lord Tarshay has visited Jalpa many times, and is a personal friend of Lord Niall and Lady Lorna," said Tenina, Jalpa’s emissary in Aranor. "He is giving the stone as a representation of his fondness and his support for Lorna and Niall’s methods of ruling."

Tenina would not comment, but I have heard as well that Lorna may be pregnant, and the gift may also be in congratulations for their new baby.

The stone will be well-guarded, and is reportedly enchanted with anti-conjuration protections and various wards. It will be housed in the newly founded Museum of Jalpa, where its beauty can be appreciated by all.

Tania

An interesting new business has opened in the Thieves District of Aranor. With a totally new concept of operation, Twilight promises to give us all some fun.

Twilight is a dance hall/tavern/performance house. Inside, there are numerous stages, a large bar, and a wide, open dance hall. And only two employees.

"The idea," says Michelle, one of the managers, "is to have almost no overhead. The owner of the business, whose name I cannot disclose, wanted to do something to help the people of the Thieves District. Because Twilight offers so much opportunity, it may just help some people to get themselves out of addiction and despair."

The bar is unstocked. The kitchen empty of food. No musicians are hired. So how does this place manage to entertain?

"Everyone who comes to Twilight is free to sell their wares, bring spirits to sell at the bar, or bring an instrument for entertainment. People put on plays, compose dances, mix their own drinks, and sell all sorts of things, from tattoos to makeovers to candy or fruit," says Michelle. "It’s the ultimate in free entrepreneurship and trade. You can sell anything that you think people will buy, whether services or goods."

She went on to explain that this mode of operation not only reduces the costs of maintaining the business to a minimum, but allows people to try their talents in an open market, without the cost of starting their own business.

"If someone wants to run a tavern for the evening, all they have to do is purchase the spirits they wish to sell. The bar, the patrons, the glasses – all of that is already provided."

"It’s an experiment, to be sure," Michelle said. "We open this passage, and we’ll have to see how it goes over. It’s a pretty uncontrolled environment."

Twilight will derive its income from a small entrance fee charged to all who wish to enter.

Tirian

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