First Passage of the Melting Moon

Garjaan of Jalpa was oft called ‘The Greatest Hunter in the Known Lands’. Reputedly trained by native Northerners, the legendary hunter has supposedly killed tigers, bears, and even a chimera – using only a knife.

"He was a shadow, and understood the ways of the animals. A stalker, tracker, and hunter of undeniable mastery. He was the world’s best," said Kirus, one of his competitors in Jalpa.

Garjaan led a group of six huntsmen that he personally trained, and together they brought large-game meats to the finer restaurants of Jalpa – his typical prey included forest dragon, chimera, and great forest cat. And now he has gone missing.

"His party left Jalpa last An Maad and were expected back two days later," said Talea, one of the guards in charge of the case. "Since he is so reputable, we sent out trackers, and they followed his men’s trail until it was lost in the foothills of the mountains. He seems simply to have vanished."

Huntsmen in Jalpa are suddenly a bit more hesitant to go out into the woods, and area restaurants and residents are noting the lack of game on their plates.

"Everyone’s scared," said Talea. "Men like Garjaan don’t just disappear without something pretty potent making it happen. With all the recent fear of fae encounters, this has only added to the fire. Something’s out there, and until we can find out what, we need people to realize that there may very well be game shortages."

Huntsfolk from Aranor, however, are seizing the opportunity. I met Erin with pack on her back, heading out of the gates on her way to Jalpa.

"The Jalpan hunstfolk are scared – all the more opportunity for me! I’ll bring the game in and charge a bit more for the service."

Let’s hope that Erin isn’t the next to go missing.

Tirian

Even before Archmage Cowan Faol has arrived at the town which bears his name, Lord Tirlaan has refused audience.

"We are not bowing down to Maelmuire, and we are not granting audience to a criminal."

He refers to last summer’s incidents where a group called ‘Back to the Dragon’, reputedly linked to Archmage Faol, did some damage to area businesses. The restaurants were reputedly killing fae dragons and serving them, a practice frowned upon by the Archmage who is said to protect all fae.

Sages insist that Faol’s position is based on nothing but outrage, since Maelmuire’s navy would likely devastate Faol’s military with little trouble. Faol must depend upon help from Cuan, Casara, Masalla, Rilhaven, or the Old World. Only Casara would be likely to help Faol, and Casara is presently bracing for the possibility of an overland attack.  Most agree that it would be folly for them to divide their forces to help Faol. On the other hand, Faol is Casara’s only port to the rest of the world, so if Faol is taken, Casara will be completely isolated.

The situation is politically complex, but Maelmuire has assured Queen Lillian that there will be no attacks until Cowan Faol returns with word from each of the rulers.

Lord Kieran

"I’ve never been so moved by a play," said one woman, who left the Theater of Aranor with shaking hands.

Described as ‘mentally disturbing’, ‘shocking’, ‘tense’, and ‘eerie’, the new production ‘Fear’ is generating the greatest sales since the theater opened.

The play is put on by the Origin Players, a group of playwrights who utilize magics in their productions. What sorts of magics? They keep it secret, insisting that they have someone ‘custom-crafting spells for us’. The Origin Players are new to the Theater of Aranor, and have suddenly become competition for Aranor Grande, the troupe most of us are familiar with. While Aranor Grande still has Ashley, the actress who has become an Aranorian sensation, there are rumours that Origin will attempt to buy Ashley out, perhaps with an offer of over a million silver coins.

"This is an outrage," said Lady Maralynn, a patron of the theater who donates generous sums to Aranor Grande. "Origin denies everything that makes theater great. They rely on magics that bend people’s moods, they use light and effects and shocking storylines to cover up the one thing they’re missing – good actors."

She is not the only one to make this accusation, for although ‘Fear’ is popular, people are often coming away saying that it’s ‘all smoke and fire’ – lacking in any real substance.

If they win Ashley over, though?

"Ashley would never do it," Lady Maralynn said. "If she did, though, I fear that Aranor Grande might fall."

Aranor Grande, of course, is known for putting on the classics, such as A Potter’s Tale, Love and Roses, The Dragonslayer, Moon Pirates, and Fancies and Goodnights.

Both troupes will be vying for the next production space, and it will be quite telling to see which troupe the Theater chooses.

Tania

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