The Oracle
Second Passage of the Storm Moon
Tira Kills Three More Men
Making herself even more famous, the fighter reported in last passage’s Oracle has killed three men in the Aranor Arena in the last four days.
“These were all contenders who swore they wouldn’t come out of the Arena without beating her. And they didn’t,” said Nathaniel, one of the heads of the Arena.
The Arena is more crowded than ever, and has begun to sell seats in advance of the next day’s fights. But some of the Arena’s regular patrons are getting angry.
“The Arena used to be a place of skill and games,” said Kian, who says he has been a fan since the Arena opened. “Now, it’s just a bloodbath.”
Tira, meanwhile, is becoming rich on her winnings, and has purchased herself a house in the Noble District. Although not unbecoming, she has been described as ‘harsh, haughty, and sharp’, and, according to one insider, ‘won’t easily attain her dream, which is to fit in with the higher-ups'.”
Tira is said to have had a difficult past, and rumors suggest such misadventures as being kept as a slave by pirates, working as a twylah, and hiring herself out as a professional assassin.
Tira denies such rumors. “I don’t want to divulge my past,” she said. “It’s mine. But I’ve worked close to the earth all my life, and have the strength of the elements flowing in my blood.”
The rumors that she is actually a vampire, demon, or golem have been easily discredited. The healers who work on her assure us that she is as mortal and human as anyone else.
That’s little consolation, perhaps, to the men who have died at her blade.
Tirian
Tiffani’s Fashions Come to Aranor
In Cowan Faol’s village of Aralaan there is a little shoppe that’s becoming world-renowned. It’s called Tiffani’s.
“It’s obvious that she has access to Cowan Faol’s magic,” said Marin, a gentleman who designs fashions for the nobles in Aranor. “She’s turned fashion into sorcery.”
Marin is fairly alone in his criticism, however. The clothing at Tiffani’s is spectacular, and incorporates the most fantastic illusions. These are clothes that not only look remarkable, but have other properties as well – such as tactile properties impossible to achieve without magic.
Imagine black leather that is shiny to the eyes and slick with oil to the touch. But take your hand away, and your fingers are dry! Clothes that are faintly luminescent, that smell of cloves or cinnamon, that bestow warmth or coolness. Some change color according to their surroundings or even the wearer’s moods, while others have ‘enhanced’ fits, making you appear slimmer, fuller, taller, or bustier than you really are.
And these clothes are finding their way to Aranor. They’ve been sighted on the streets, in the theater, and in fine restaurants.
Although the clothes aren’t as expensive as one might imagine, the cost of passage to Gwynned and the time it takes to make the trip ensures that the purchase of one is quite an investment.
If you behold the most amazing dress you’ve ever seen, go ahead and ask. It just might be a Tiffani’s!
Tania
Rilhaven Suffers From Kraeven
They’re back, and have begun their summer rampages with a disastrous attack on Rilhaven itself. The Kraeven are a diseased animal, harmless in its natural state, that has been traveling in packs near Rilhaven within the last few years. While attempts were made during the last winter to diminish or destroy the population, the Kraeven seem more numerous than ever. A pack of at least forty animals swarmed through Rilhaven’ gates last moon and killed numerous animals. While no one was killed, many were injured, and the disease seems to be gaining some resistance to both natural and magical healing methods. Both humans and animals can be affected by the disease, which can be fatal.
Afraid that dogs and livestock might be infected, and hence become violent and lead to more spreading of the disease, hundreds of people are packing up and leaving. The first arrived in Aranor last passage, saying that ‘they can’t take any more of the fear – not now that they’ve come into the city proper.’
Rilhaven is reeling from numerous recent shortfalls, including the loss of its port of Antara. The fears of an attack from Maelmuire grow every day, and with the current exodus, there might be little left to defend even if the Maelmurians do attack.
We will, of course, keep you abreast of any new occurrences.
Lord Kieran
To the Oracle Collection-- Third Year