The Oracle
Second Passage of the Dry Moon
World’s Strongest Man Comes to Aranor
He goes by the name of Burly Bear, and was one of the original companions of Queen Lillian when she first came to the Old World.
He was legendary even back then, one of his greatest feats being when he bodily blocked a catapult stone that was hurtling toward the soon-to-be-queen during a sea battle. Although badly wounded, he was ready to fight in the war when it came, and after that . . . he disappeared.
Described as ‘a funny looking sort of man’, Burly Bear is jovial and a bit rotund. But his intense training since the War for Aranor has lent him a strength that is even greater than that he displayed during the war. He is intent on making his gold by traveling from city to city, showing people, in his words, ‘what the human body is capable of.’
Legends surround him. It is said that he wrestled a troll and won. That he pushed aside a ship intent on ramming his. And that he can drink a barrel of ale and still walk out of the tavern. Such tales aside, he intends to show us some real feats when he begins his display next passage. These will include out-pulling a horse, carrying a carriage over his head, and lifting ten women at once.
Until his display, Burly Bear can be found staying at the Adventurer, and would ‘relish the chance to tell people stories’.
Tania
Ritual Circles Found in Old World
Reports are filtering in from huntsfolk of finding elaborate ritualistic circles outside of Aranor, Selarum, and Neraha.
The reports describe elaborate apparatus, including bejeweled candlesticks, mummified animals, and circles created with ‘arlis’, which are rarely-seen ritualistic incense burners attached by golden threads. The small, specially-constructed burners possess light-reflective capabilities which illuminate the circle with an orange glow when the incense is lit. Over eighty of the arlis are arranged to form each circle.
The circles have been found on high, barren hills, in caves, and in swamps. The arlis, antiques from the MorDuraan times, are extremely valuable, and no one can figure out why they are being left in the forests.
“If huntsfolk have found this many, imagine how many more must be in the forests,” said Jannin, a sage from the library of Aranor. Their use, however, remains a mystery. “It’s obvious,” Jannin went on, “that this is not a child’s game. Someone of strength and means is intent on some formidable effect.”
This effect, he went on, might have something to do with connecting places of power throughout the province in order to concentrate mana that would aid in enacting a powerful spell.
Queen Lillian is asking whoever is responsible to step forward, for she hasn’t ruled out the possibility that the magician has some beneficial spell in mind. But until the magician steps forward, the circles that have been found are being dismantled and dispelled.
Some opponents of the Queen are using the opportunity to preach on the streets regarding the dangers of allowing magical practice. They claim that no such events transpired during the Goddards’ long ban on magical practice.
Apparently they’re forgetting the ‘Golem Incident’, which Illumination will shortly publish a treatise upon.
Tirian
Moraithian Slave Standoff
Last passage we reported on a group of slaves who rebelled against their harsh master. The standoff has continued. Duke Amasay himself responded to Saul, the leader of the slaves. He encouraged the safe release of Lord Aranin and the surrender of the slaves, stating that Aranin would be brought to trial before the royal court. Saul has refused the offer, calling it a ‘ruse’. He has given the Moraithian authorities three days to comply with his request for safe passage to the New World, or ‘Lord Aranin will be punished for his crimes’.
Although not heavily armed, there are over a hundred slaves in the house and surrounding grounds, and all soldiers who have approached too closely have come away injured. The slaves know the surroundings well and are using that knowledge to their advantage. Lord Aranin’s home is encircled by jungle and built upon stilts, so that the environs are a dense maze of cobblestone paths and encroaching jungle.
We’ll keep our readers abreast of new developments.
Lord Kieran
To the Oracle Collection-- Third Year