The Oracle
Fourth Passage of the Storm Moon
Jeddans Return to Irutoka
The Irutokans, who came to Aranor attempting to entice Queen Lillian to lift the sanctions against their province, have left displeased. Although the Queen was reportedly open to negotiations, her offers, undisclosed to the public, were rejected by the Irutokans.
Unless the Emperor can accept Queen Lillian’s new policies, he will be subject to sanctions for the period of five years.
Although Aranorian Jeddans loyal to the Emperor are claiming that the sanctions will only drive up the prices of Jeddan goods, the Old World has actually seen a fall in the price of said goods.
“The Empress has recovered quickly and is rallying the remainder of her people to focus on trade,” said Storm, Regent of Aranor. “We’re seeing an influx of fine, well-priced Jeddan goods.”
Rumors suggest that the Emperor himself might visit Aranor to speak with the Queen. But until then, we’ll have to purchase our Jeddan goods from Mymé.
Lord Kieran
Will Girl’s Birth Fulfill Prophecy?
She was born pale of skin, with silky white hair and eyes so pale blue that they almost look colorless. The frightened parents were quick to take her to the Temple of Edana, but the priestess there assured them that the child was normal and healthy.
It wasn’t until one of their friends jokingly suggested that the girl might be the answer to an ancient prophecy that the parents began their research.
The mother and father, who prefer to remain unnamed, soon discovered a book in the Library of Aranor. It described a ‘child of purest white’ who would be born ‘under a great Queen’. This gifted child would grow into a legendary warrior and sorceress who would ‘lay her veil over all the world, and unite even lands unknown. Her hands will bridge the Realms, and unite the people of Carador and the people of Fae.’
The prophecy was written by Arist Temp, the famous prophet of MorDuraan times. A surprising number of his prophecies have come true, which led the parents to worry.
“We’re treating her as we would any daughter,” said her father. “She’ll have the best schooling we can afford, and all the love parents can give. I just wish all this prophecy talk would go away.”
Word is spreading fast, and already the parents have considered moving out of Aranor. They fear the words of the prophecy, which also state that ‘the child shall be taken from the parents before the first year, and raised among the wilds, where she shall learn the powers of the Fae’.
Let’s wish them all well.
Tirian
Ritualist Imprisoned
A man by the name of Shared was imprisoned by the Jalpan city guard last passage. He was discovered in a city park with all the apparatus necessary to perform a powerful ritual.
“This sort of magic is banned in all lands,” said Aran, one of the Jalpan guard. “The ritual was intended to alter the climate over a large area – in effect, he would have plunged half of the Old World into winter. He intended, after that, to charge a ‘ransom’ to release the Old World back into summertime.”
Whether the ritual would have been successful or not is unknown, but according to sages in Jalpa, the ritual was authentic, and Shared had taken the time to gather the necessary ritual components.
The ritual will be destroyed, but the decision of what to do with Shared hasn’t been made.
“We have a four-year policy,” said Aran. “No one stays in the dungeons longer than that. If they need more punishment, they face exile or tattooing.”
But the ritual is in Shared’s mind, and even if exiled, Jalpan authorities fear that he might again attempt a large ritual of some kind.
Their decision may create an example for other cities of the Old World to follow. Let’s all count ourselves lucky that we don’t often have to deal with such issues!
Tania
To the Oracle Collection-- Third Year