The Oracle
Fourth Passage of the Rain Moon
Emperor Stages Attacks
More news from Jedda Felsuin as the Emperor has staged six separate attacks on the isle of Mymé.
“This is simply a way of feeling things out,” says Iridai, our sage covering the war. “The Emperor is in an advantageous position, but after the attack by the Jotai Jo, he is afraid of coming inland. His next strategy, no doubt, will be to choke Mymé off from the sea. This, as we’ve mentioned before, could be a task that would take years, since the Empress’ isle is fairly self-contained. Still, she would feel the sting of no imports, of no visitors – all the residents of Mymé would have to suffer a drastic change of lifestyle, and move to subsistence living. It would be difficult or impossible for the Empress to rebuild her navy, and many of her people would doubtless be tempted to defect to the Emperor’s isle.
Much will depend on what happens during these tentative prods by the Emperor. If the Jotai Jo do not appear to aid the Empress, he may attempt another powerful attack, hoping to secure an inland base.
We will report more as the situation occurs.
Lord Kieran
Faerie Ruins Discovered
More ruins have been discovered to the southwest of Jalpa – this time a vast series of structures that doubtless once comprised a small city.
“We were lucky to find these,” says Jerian, the leader of the adventuring group who discovered the ruins. “They’re mostly overgrown, and some of them are half-covered with earth.”
Based on a few of the artifacts that Jerian and his group brought back to Jalpa, it has been determined that these ruins were probably crafted by the mysterious faerie race thought to pre-date the Northerners’ existence on the Old World.
While many adventurers keep their finds quiet and sell the goods to private collectors, Jerian and his companions have chosen a more honorable path. And, perhaps, more lucrative, since collectors often know how to scare adventurers into selling artifacts for much less than they’re worth.
“We brought our finds to Lord Niall and Lady Lorna – we’ve now been granted the official title of ‘Royal Explorers’, and have been given guards and workers to help us with the excavations. We’re going to be paid handsomely for the finds, all of which will be kept in a new wing of the Museum of Jalpa. They’re even putting our portraits up in there!”
Sages are eagerly awaiting permission from the museum to study the objects first-hand –and are wondering what discoveries will emerge from the ruined city. It is estimated that excavations will continue for three or four years.
Tania
Pirates Holed Up on Shelter Isle
Karius, one of the most infamous pirates of our time, is ‘nearly captured’, according to Aranorian authorities.
“Karius was one of the shipmates of Captain Trell, undoubtedly the most terrible pirate of modern times,” says Shane, a guardsman in the Dock District. “When Captain Trell was killed by Queen Lillian, Karius stole a ship and since then, has been building his own reputation. Until now, he’s left the Old World alone, but he’s made quite a name for himself in Masalla and Moraithe.
“Yesterday his ship was sighted by an Aranorian patrol, who approached and then gave chase after Karius’ ship fired upon them. They chased his ship to Shelter Isle, where Karius attempted to navigate the large cavern that leads into the interior of the isle. Apparently he had left the majority of his men on the isle, for unknown reasons. Well, he must not have known the isle too well, for his ship ran up on the Pike, a spire of submerged rock just to the right of the cavern entrance. His ship was impaled, and he and his men attempted to escape onto the rocks. Most were dashed to pieces by the waves pounding on the jagged shore.”
It still is not known whether Karius himself survived the wreck, but three Aranorian ships have surrounded the island and are demanding the surrender of the pirates. Karius’ ship and its unknown cargo have sunk beneath the waves, impaled upon the Pike.
Shelter Isle can be seen on clear days from the lookout on Tynan’s Temple in Aranor. Its unique shape gives it a harbor that is safe during even the more devastating of storms, and it has been used by countless ships on their way to Aranor. It is supposed that Karius’ men were waiting to ambush any ship that sheltered there during the spring storms.
Tirian
To the Oracle Collection-- Third Year