Second Passage of the Ice Moon

In rallying speeches given by his ministers, the Emperor of Jedda Felsuin brought his latest message to the people of his lands. In it, he emphasized Irutoka’s new role in the world, and the opportunities that exist for all Jeddans if Irutoka can re-establish itself as a cooperative member of the Known Provinces. In the speeches, many historical events were referenced which seemed to instill the crowds with a sense of patriotism.

He followed the speeches with action, sending over two thousand men to help re-build towns and villages damaged during the war with Mymé. He has also announced that he will send emissaries to Queen Lillian in order to re-establish a trade alliance.

It seems, for now, that the people of Irutoka are behind their new leader, and the only fear is that when the real Emperor is instated, he will undo the work done by the present Regent.

Momentarily, at least, peace seems to be returning to Jedda Felsuin.

Since its inception four years ago, the Oracle has grown into an inter-provincial events journal, presently selling over eight thousand copies per passage. We transport copies to Gwynned, Faol, Masalla, and Moraithe.

Our readers have also doubtless noticed the Oracle’s ability to report on events only days after they occur – even when they occur on provinces a moon’s sail away. Since the veracity of such reports has been challenged of late, we are publicly divulging a secret – we have hired five mages and majae from the Lysandra School north of Aranor, all of which are capable of relocation or teleportation by magical means. This team of magicians serves as our eyes and ears in the further provinces, returning with news of events in those far-off lands.

We continue to take suggestions and tips from our readers, which can be delivered at the Illumination Café in the Merchant District of Aranor.

We are taking a moment to thank our loyal readers, and to encourage you to partake of all of Illumination’s offerings. As Queen Lillian’s Renaissance grows, so too does our collective knowledge of the world. And, in turn, so does our enjoyment.

Tania

Rumors about Aranor’s beginnings run rampant. But the most accepted is that Queen Lillian and the initial settlers rebuilt the city out of old ruins. The question, of course, is who those ruins belonged to. A woman named Merydian is now claiming to possess the answer.

Round of face with wide, bright eyes, Merydian draws people to her. For a fee, she’ll answer questions about the distant past. She sets up her stand on the streets of the Merchant District and charges a gold coin per question.

"It all began one eve when I was drifting off to sleep," she recalls. "The ancestors began to speak to me, telling me stories of the grand city of Mira-tai, which dwelled upon the very ground we now call Aranor."

While most sages discount her as a charlatan, she has at least one who believes her.

"I was as skeptical as anyone else," says Terrin, an earnest young man trying to establish a reputation for himself in the world of scholarship. "So I began checking into various of Merydian’s claims. The search has taken me to the sites of caves and old stone foundations, all of which have turned up evidence that her representation of the Mira-tai culture is correct."

He is not yet publicly displaying the artifacts and writings he has claimed to find, but he insists that he is ‘convinced without a doubt’.

Among Merydian’s claims are that the Mira-tai people had a highly advanced civilization, speaking and writing a language which has been lost to modern scholars. As her reputation grows, more and more average citizens are coming to her with questions, attempting to find the sites of old ruins in the hope of unearthing some ancient object from a long-forgotten culture.

"Few may believe me now," she smiles, "but time will prove me right."

If it does, Terrin may indeed find himself among the highest of scholars in Aranor!

Tirian

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