The Oracle
Third Passage of the Snow Moon
Casara and Faol Call Truce
The re-opening of the pass by the King of Faol has eased tensions between Casara and Faol. The dispute erupted over a gemstone-laden mine, and it has now been suggested that the pass was closed to prevent Casara from sending men to defend its claim to the riches.
While trade has been re-established, the action may have caused some long-lasting damage. Casaran traders are reporting some harassment when traveling through Faol, and a few vocal members of the Casaran Council are not only demanding that Faol deliver half of the gems from the ‘stolen’ mine, but that Faol reimburse Casara for ‘lost trade days’ while the pass was closed.
Faol is apparently requesting a meeting to re-establish proper relations.
Lord Kieran
Ice Continues
The huge ice floes drifting south near Teran’s Point have continued to grow, making trade difficult.
“Over a hundred ships are now crowded into the harbor of the former Emperor of Jedda,” says Matthew, who owns a small trell. “I was there for two days, but it was just too crowded, so I risked it and wove between the ice chunks until I hit clear waters.”
He described the scene in the old faerie ruins as one of ‘debauchery’. “The people almost seem under an enchantment – most of them have unloaded goods from their ships to make their stay pleasant – there are a lot of spirits flowing, and people strutting around in jewels and fine furs. I had to wonder if the former Emperor isn’t trying to recruit some settlers for his new lands.”
Matthew isn’t the only one with that thought. Ice floes of such a nature could easily be magically created, though it would take some potent magic to do it. The ice is positioned strategically so that ships can make it relatively safely into the new harbor, but not beyond.
Other, more ominous signs have emerged around the new Emperor’s settlement. Reports suggest that the strange creatures of the island – likely some breed of fae monster, are becoming more aware of the humans’ presence. The perimeter of the old ruins are carefully guarded, and there are nightly attacks by strange beasts.
What strange events are unfolding remains to be seen, but we will certainly keep our gaze on the happenings.
Tirian
Mermaid Sighted in the Silver River
Erik, Mana, and Brett have been friends for years. "They're extremely good companions," says Tania, Erik's mother. "They're uncanny, really, in how they pursue learning." She went on to explain that they aren't the sort of children to make things up -- "Each time they've come up with some wild story, they've managed to prove they're telling the truth."
The children were floating toy boats under a bridge, where the water had been broken open by fishermen. "Suddenly," said Mana, "we saw something under the water -- like a huge fish." The children couldn't believe what they were seeing, but when the creature surfaced under the bridge, the children had an even clearer look.
"We were dangling over the edge trying to see," said Brett. "She blinked up at us a few times, then went back under. We could clearly see the tail."
The children decided to do their own research at the Library, but a sage there overheard their whispers and soon the word was out.
Strange, human-like creatures have been reported, from time to time, in the Silver River, but most sages think it unlikely that any fae actually live in the waters. It is certainly possible that oceanic merfolk could find their way into the river or lake, however, and many posit this as the most likely explanation.
The children are continuing to research, and plan to explore the banks and waters in an effort to discover whether the mermaid lives in the river or was just passing through.
Tania
To the Oracle Collection-- Fourth Year