Fourth Passage of the Frost Moon

Sometimes adventuring pays off. A young brother and sister adventuring team has returned to Aranor after five moons of research and exploration regarding an old dragon’s treasure located somewhere in the southern reaches of the Old World.

"Our biggest clue was an old journal we picked up in a curiosity shoppe last year," said Jalen, one of the adventurers. "It told of an expedition during the Dragon Hunts of the Goddard era. The hunters found an old mountain dragon and managed to wound it badly before their party was devastated by the beast. Only three men returned, and later hunters were unable to relocate the beast. We were relying on a few landmarks mentioned in the journal."

The siblings, famously unable to get along at all, are splitting the treasure and moving to opposite sides of the city. "I’ve had all of him I can take," said Natasha, the sister.

Together the siblings have returned with a merchant-class vessel filled with treasure. The value of the artifacts, magical items, coins, antiques, and old weaponry is estimated at more than five hundred million silver. They have each deposited their share of the spoils in a few secured rooms of their respective homes, and are hiring not only guards, but magicians capable of putting wards over their treasure.

While Jalen will now be among the elite of society, Natasha will quite possibly enjoy the title of the ‘richest woman in the Known Lands’. The majority of provinces discourage women gaining too much social power, and the Old World, under Queen Lillian, is perhaps the only place where a woman would be allowed to hold such esteem.

Queen Lillian has welcomed them to the city and will not tax any of their findings.

Tirian

In the last moon, six trading ships from Mymé have gone missing on the seas. Each was destined for Aranor, and laden with goods.

"It’s possible they were pirated," said Kalus, Aranor’s Minister of Trade. "But I’ve heard rumors suggesting that the missing Emperor of Irutoka could be behind the lost ships. It’s certainly possible this is a response against Queen Lillian’s trade sanctions against Irutoka."

While such rumors may seem far-fetched, it has been learned that two powerful Kaelen warriors, along with their retinue of warriors and magicians, are also missing. Both were personal friends of the Emperor, and it is now quite clear that the Emperor is being aided by the two men.

We’ll keep you abreast of further developments.

Lord Kieran

It’s been three times now that guards have been summoned to streets in the city of Aranor to break up horse races.

"These young kids think they’re proving something by riding their horses as fast as they can through the streets. Cobblestones are slippery, and they’re being dangerous to both themselves and others," said Dayle, one of the guards assigned to the case.

The young men and women are apparently racing their horses, and choose certain streets to meet at. They then hold the race and disperse in different directions to avoid the guard.

The guard of Aranor has officially banned the practice, citing numerous incidents, including one where a racer’s horse fell, fatally injuring the horse and nearly killing the rider, and another where a noblewoman was struck by a passing horse.

"She was only saved by her bulky dress," Dayle said.

The guard has imposed a fine of one thousand silver on any racers caught.

"We’re on to your methods," said Dayle. "Take your races outside the city and you’ll be fine. But do it on the city streets, and you’ll find yourself in quite a bit of serious trouble."

It looks like horse races on the city streets are over.

Tania