The Oracle
First Passage of the Summer Moon
Gwynned Thrives
The new provinces of Gwynned are growing steadily despite troubles from within. Each of the provinces has officially announced its status as an open port, and trade is now being established with provinces throughout the rest of the world.
“Gwynned is in an unique position,” said Tarus Alaan, Minister of Trade for the province of René. “Thus far we have maintained a curious, dual reputation – that of being both a people of the frontier, and a people of status and refinement. Politically, this has allowed us to establish relations with free-trade merchants, as well as official merchants of Faol, Masalla, and even Jedda Felsuin.”
While the province grows in population and gold, it still faces challenges from the great number of fae on the isle, as well as growing bands of outlaws intent on plundering while the provincial authorities are still weak. Already there is talk of establishing an inter-provincial force to eradicate the bandits and pirates who are making their homes in and around the isle.
Finally, the leaders of the Gwynnen provinces have put out a call for settlers, stressing that they are offering homesteading opportunities to those who bring suitable skills.
Lord Kieran
Battle Over Fish Causes Tension
Just upriver from the Old World villages of Ritual and Shaky Crossing is a fishing hole called ‘Old Gold’. The place is legendary in that huge, sweet-fleshed fish are strangely abundant in the place, and the hole has long been a shared resource of both villages.
Now, however, a man named Taeven, hailing from the village of Shaky Crossing, is changing all that. Two passages ago he moored a fleet of six fishing boats around the hole, hemming it in. And he’s not allowing anyone else inside.
“It’s a crime!” said one angry fisherman called Grell. “This is how I make my living! What right does this man have to take everything for himself?”
That voice echoes the sentiments of many others, especially citizens in Ritual, and is creating a rift between the two villages, who have long held good relations. Oris, the magistrate of Shaky Crossing, says that all the conflict is meaningless.
“Taeven is not a citizen of our village. He is just passing through, and only claims this is his home.”
My fisherman, however, insist that Taeven bought a house in the village, and that the people of Shaky Crossing are growing fat on Taeven’s bounty.
“I’m not here to hurt anyone,” said Taeven, when asked for a comment on his position. “These backwoods people know nothing of the realities of the outside world. I’m here to turn them around. What you’re bearing witness to is the beginning of a three-year plan that will put these villages on the world map!”
Another perspective was given by Grell. “If that Taeven doesn’t move out of here soon, I hear word that he might be fed to the fishes himself.”
Tirian
Public Duel in Moraithe
What happens when one of Moraithe’s most legendary swordsmen and one of its highest nobles have a dispute? This time, at least, the citizens of Moraithe are in for a treat.
Lord Asheraan deals in elite or rare slaves, and when he caught his guest, the swordsman Sharin DeVrey, in bed with one of his most favored slaves, the lord challenged him to a duel.
Claiming to be in love with the woman, DeVrey agreed, and they meet next passage on the longest dock in Moraithe to duel to the death.
The battle should be spectacular.
DeVrey is the founder of his own style of rapier fighting – the DeVrey style is characterized by closing with the opponent and utilizing sliding movements of the blade to deliver long, pushing cuts. With more than twenty swordfights to his name, DeVrey proudly claims to be undefeated.
Lord Asheraan dismisses DeVrey’s prowess, insisting that the only advantage DeVrey has is that he is unconventional. Most of DeVrey’s reputation, he affirms, is simply a matter of the man’s personal charisma.
Lord Asheraan spent his youth sailing around the isle of Moraithe with a company of fighters commissioned by the father of Duke Amasay. He fought Sereg, Tirané raiders, and pirates, all in an effort to make the waters safer for trade. He claims to have killed fifteen men, and says that after next passage, the number will be sixteen. As the lord’s chosen weapon is the broadsword, the battle should certainly be interesting to watch.
Tania
To the Oracle Collection—Third Year