The Oracle
Third Passage of the Plowing Moon
Unrest in Masalla
In an age when enlightened people are hoping for peace, it seems that we’re only having more unrest. Eight more members of the noble class in Masalla and one member of the royal class were hung by Queen Annabelle last passage.
Most of the furor is surrounding the arrest and hanging of Duke Aranold, who was brought before the Queen on charges of rape and murder. It seems that last year he arrested a family of gypsy wanderers who were trespassing on his lands. The father and son he had killed, while the mother was given to some of his troops for ‘sport’. Most horrendous of all, however, was the fate of the fourteen year old daughter, who was kept for four moons in the Duke’s keep, where she served as ‘companion and slave’ to the Duke.
In his trial numerous people came forward, including members of his court, and described the Duke’s brutal treatment of the girl. She was repeatedly raped by himself and members of his court, was beaten and whipped for the amusement of visitors, and fed only scraps of food that were first thrown on the ground. It was said that she had to fight off the dogs for her meals, much to the amusement of the Duke’s court. The Duke himself did not deny such actions, but insisted that the girl was ‘only a gypsy’, and was quite dismissive of the whole affair until his sentence was pronounced.
“In the days of yore such abuses were ours to make,” the Queen said just before the Duke was hung. “Our high blood gave us the right to use the gypsies and peasants and commoners as we might use a dog. But when I look upon a woman of common class, I see a person as myself, just as capable of feeling and dreaming and contributing to the world. All the people of our lands shall be subject to the same ministrations of justice. And I mean all.” At which point the Queen brushed past the gallows-master and pulled the lever herself, dropping the plank out from under the Duke’s feet.
Although nobles have been hung, mostly for rape and murder of peasants, the Duke was the first member of the Masallan royal class to meet such a fate. Although the common folk and merchants of Masalla are supporting the Queen more than ever, it is said that great anger is brewing among the higher classes, and that the possibility of a revolution is in the air.
Although Masalla’s early history was rife with such conflicts, there has not been a major uprising or war in that province for almost six hundred years.
Lord Kieran
Queen Lillian Look-Alike Contest
One of Aranor’s perennial fashions is to dye one’s hair to appear like the Queen – raven black with streaks of snowy white. And now those who try to mimic the look have a chance at fame.
The Friends of the Queen, a group composed of mostly older women who stage events and philosophical discussions regarding Queen Lillian’s affect upon Carador, is holding a Queen Lillian look-alike contest. It’s called Fetch the Queen.
Participants in Fetch the Queen will do their best, using only cosmetics, dyes, and clothing, to become the Queen’s twin. All participants will be checked for illusions before entering the contest.
“The look is difficult to achieve,” said Mirial, who works at Prism, the famous cosmetics shoppe in the Merchant District. “The Queen is tall, so most women require platform shoes. She also has a very exotic look, with large eyes that can only be achieved with expert application of cosmetics.”
The winner will actually get to personally meet the Queen and will spend a night in the palace, eating at the royal court.
Tania
Tapas Serves Spiders
Tapas, the famous Aranorian restaurant that serves its meals with no utensils, has added an interesting thing to its menu.
Spiders.
Although spiders are eaten in other provinces, such as Moraithe and Japura, they are definitely not common to our palate.
The spiders are being caught near Llewellyn on the isle of Gwynned, on the edge of the Haunted Wood. Every year thousands of spiders breed in this area and then disappear into the forest. They are of a breed found nowhere else – black and brown of coloration, and described as ‘about the size of a cat’. In Llewellyn they have been eating the spiders for the last year, and those who try them are amazed at the texture and the sweet taste.
Tapas is serving the spiders ‘whole’ – carefully baked and laid with their legs to the air. The innards are scooped out with the fingers and have been described as ‘a creamy pudding’, while a stronger-tasting liquid can be sucked from the legs.
Most people, of course, are responding squeamishly, and some have even been avoiding Tapas because of the new menu item.
“It’s disgusting,” said Mara, a regular patron. “I’m trying to eat my meal and then they bring this . . . creature over to the next table!”
Of those who have tried the spiders, however, the response is different.
“I was really hesitant at first,” says Aryn, who was visiting Tapas for his first time. “I felt like I might not be able to do it. You know. Pukey. But then I closed my eyes and reached down, and put my fingers into the spider. It was a silky-creamy feeling, quite sensual and unlike anything I’ve felt before. The taste was amazing – sweet and distinct, with a touch of sharpness. I’m coming back for sure, and bringing my friends.”
The spiders will only be on the menu for a single moon, both because of the uncertainty of customers’ responses, as well as the seasonal availability of the spiders.
Tirian
To the Oracle Collection--Year Three