The Oracle
Third Passage of the Dry Moon
Chocolate Festival in River District
Eight of the city’s premiere chocolatiers held a duel of sorts last An Ilé in the River District.
“We want to give the common folk of the city a chance to taste truly fine chocolates,” said Lord Avis, the owner of Avisian Chocolates. “So we’re giving out many free samples. But we are also up to a bit of friendly competition, keeping an eye out to see which stands are the most popular with the citizens.”
They also invited many smaller chocolate makers to set up on the perimeter of the site.
People could sample a fine array of chocolates, from the famous Lolita’s to new and upcoming chocolate makers, such as the two young women who are specializing in dark chocolates. Their shoppe, The Queen’s Chocolates, will be opening soon.
Although people on the streets were delighted with the entire festival – who wouldn’t be pleased with free chocolate? – the consensus on the street was that Lolita’s is still the clear winner. People crowded her stand, which had a seemingly endless supply of samples.
There was some talk of making this a yearly affair, but Lord Avis, who was looking less than pleased by the end of the night, implied that in his opinion, some folks in the city didn’t appreciate true quality.
Tania
Nightfaire Coming to Aranor
The Nightfaire is making its annual visit to Aranor next passage. This year they will remain for two passages, setting up in a peasant’s field just outside the city walls. The faire, which has been present in the New World and Old World for over thirty years, consists of a shifting group of travellers who set up outside of cities, then allow, for a price, visitors to enter and see the faire’s strange offerings.
During the Goddard era the faire was often illegal, and would set up surreptitiously outside a city’s walls, then send invitations to those nobles and commoners who could be trusted. When the city authorities confronted them, the faire-folk would pick up and leave. Now, however, the faire is no longer illegal, though it still sets up outside the city walls, due to the presence of many questionable activities performed at the faire.
It is rumored that the faire-folk will be visiting Jalpa after Aranor, and then wintering in an old ruined faerie castle about twenty leagues south of Jalpa.
Be sure not to miss it!
Tirian
New Irutokan Emperor Breaks Ties with Mymé
The new Emperor of Jedda has made his first political move by declaring a break in the peaceable relations with Mymé. These relations, established by the temporary Emperor, included gold and labor to help Mymé rebuild.
“The new Emperor is facing a lot of pressure,” said Itia, a sage with the library of Aranor who specializes in Jeddan politics. “Traditionalists are urging him to seize the moment.”
Some forces in Irutoka were claiming that the Empress was ‘seducing’ the Irutokan laborers sent there. And indeed, many of the laborers seem to have met Myméan women, and many, apparently, are refusing to return to Irutoka. The Emperor has demanded that all laborers return at once, and has ceased the flow of gold in aid. Rumors are afloat that there could again be war between the two provinces of Jedda, as Irutoka has declared that it will ‘forcefully reclaim the men which the Empress has stolen’.
It may be more rough seas ahead for the islands of Jedda Felsuin.
Lord Kieran
To the Oracle Collection-- Fifth Year