The Oracle

First Passage of the Rain Moon

In one of the museum’s most ‘tasteful’ temporary displays, visitors will have a chance to learn about – and sample – fruits from exotic lands.

"We’re really making this one incredible," said Lord Jaffrey, a member of the Museum’s council and the patron funding this particular display.

"We’ll be holding it for three days, and during that time visitors can see artist’s renderings of various fruits – both in painting form and in sculpture form – as well as actual examples. In the Sampling Room, we’ll have fresh, dried, and preserved fruits available."

But these aren’t just ordinary fruits. They are among the rarest and most expensive fruits from lands such as Japura and Jedda Felsuin.

"We’ve also included fruits from non-populated islands, such as Teran’s Point. Most people have never even heard of fusha, a sea-vegetable that grows on the reefs near the Point. It is gelatinous and sweet – a treat few will ever get to experience."

Indeed, hardly any of us realize that unpopulated isles are home to plants and animals absent in the Known Lands, many of which remain undiscovered.

"Yes, we’ll have some ‘new’ fruits," said Lord Jaffrey. "Fruits never before tasted in civilized lands."

Although the main of the display is free and open to the public, access to the samples will cost twenty silver.

The display will run next passage, from An Sel to An Ilé.

Tania

Masalla has a rich history of uprisings, and many experts have insisted that Queen Anabelle’s recent actions – of granting the common folk and peasants legal rights equal to those of nobility – is prime breeding ground for yet another revolt. But thus far she seems remarkably successful, gathering the support of common folk and dealing swiftly with insurrections.

Now, however, a group of nobles who claim to be a part of the long-quiet ‘Last of the True Nobles' out of the Old World have marked out territory south of Calit de Om.

"This is a world-wide phenomenon," said Baron Marcus, one of the leaders of the resistance. "First in the Old World, now in Masalla. Royal and noble blood is no longer respected. The ‘leaders’ of the world are trying to all of us into commoners!"

The group, consisting of twelve noble families and over three hundred of ‘their’ peasants, huntsfolk, and guards, have announced that Baron Marcus’ barony is now called ‘Talien’, and they insist that they are no longer a part of Masalla’s government.

"We are our own government – our own province," said Baron Marcus. "If the King or Queen want to contest that, they can come down and do it by force."

Although the members of Talien are not making any attacks against Masalla, they are refusing to pay taxes, and will not allow any outside forces in.

"We will have a just government again," the Baron said.

It is expected that Masalla will move against the rebels, if for no other reason than to prevent more such movements from taking root. Since this could mean bloodshed, Masallan authorities are pursuing other avenues of dealing with the situation, such as surrounding the rebels and ‘starving them out’.

Lord Kieran