Wiki Category: News & Rumors 267

This month Clan Stormjarl caused quite the uproar as they raided the lands of Clan Grimward. There was a public outcry from the members of Clan Grimward that the actions Clan Stormjarl are cowardly as they waited until all of Mardrun’s backs were turned to strike at their perceived foe. There are voices of support among the other clans for Clan Grimward stating that many have put their own issues aside to deal with the Mordok, the enemy of all Ulven. On the other hand there are voices crying in support of Clan Stormjarl saying that it is their honor and right to take the fight back to Grimward and free those bound into service. As for what consequences may come from these actions, only time will tell.

However, Clan Grimward isn’t the only area that has had trouble with raiders. Bandits over the past month have shown some strange tactics in hopes of nabbing supplies for the winter. Many communities and roads within the City States of Newhope are being plagued with these bandits. While some are used to this increase in the fall, many are taking note of their more frenzied and continued surge being abnormal when compared to previous years.

Syndar on Mardrun prepare for a holiday this winter solstice, and a rather interesting one at that.  Back on Faedrun, those in the Kingdom of Fawyth, would gather around their hearths and tell stories. This was to honor of the Goddess Lyara, deity of Stories and Madness. This holiday is said to have a practical reason as well, to ward off cabin fever in the deepest dark of the harsh winters.  While this winter has been mild thus far, many are still upholding the tradition and speaking of legends and myths from so long ago. Mayhap some new stories are being told this winter.

Work crews in Daven’s Hold rejoice at the completion of many buildings before the onset of winter. Storehouses, hold-fasts, better walls, and much more have been built over the past year. With this month coming to an end a grand temple and library have been completed by the request of Lady Al-Azarma. Within these walls, much of the colonist’s histories, cultures, and religions are stored, and even some of the late Lord Al-Azarma’s personal library is now accessible to those who wish to read.

The buildings are not the only thing sprouting from Governess Catherine’s city. More and more remnants of Vandregon flow to the city gates, slowly growing and populating the city. While there are only handfuls of people coming by the week, there was an instance of where what looked like the remains of a Vandregonian army, in rusted chain and plate, baring the tattered and battered flag of their former unit walking to the city. Rumors are spreading quickly that this could mean the return of the Vandregonian presence upon Mardrun, that the spirit of Vandregon still exists.

The continent of Mardrun is abuzz with activity, between the war, the colonies, and what happens in the shadows.

The war with the Mordok tends to take a sour turn this month. The Mordok forces seem to be showing an unforeseen cunning in their fighting tactics. With a few maneuvers they are able to push back the Ulven forces to a more defensible position. During that fallback the Ulven suffered a decent amount of losses in supplies, momentum, position, and in troops. However, with their feet now planted, they are hoping to push back and regain control of the war.

However, that isn’t the only fighting happening with the Ulven.  It seems a small group of Clan Stormjarl decided to launch a raid against Clan Grimward. Many of the other clans have shown great distress and condemning the actions of Clan Stormjarl for continuing the war. However, there a few who are sympathetic in understanding that they are “Fighting for their Honor.” The response from Clan Grimward is that of utter lividity of the whole act. The consequences for these acts have yet to be seen, but many are fearful of Clan Grimward going on the warpath once more.

While chaos continues to grow, reports of bandits in The Pass in the Great Wolf Hackles continue to grow. While it isn’t uncommon to hear of bandits going after merchants this time of year, it is uncommon for them to be as active as they are. Many are reporting of the bandits going as far as  killing without questions, some even speak of fear and worry in their eyes. As to the cause of these feelings, no one can guess, but there is something stirring up the bandits and it is starting to show. If this activity will continue to grow or eventually subside like it usually does, it is any persons guess.

While the war wages on to the north in the Dirge Swamp, the rest of Mardrun continues their daily lives and hussle of the fall harvests.  

In Starkhaven, a large group of heavily armored warriors march northwards towards the swamp and the front lines. Many of the faces are recognized to be former members of the Order of the Fist, which has been disbanded. Under new orders to go on a penance crusade, this crew of warriors march onwards towards the swamp, to either redemption or their deaths.

The Colony of Davin’s Hold has been expanding at an amazingly rapid pace! Walls have been improved, a holding is built, store houses are erected, a temple and library continue to be under construction. It seems the Governess Catherine is eager to expand as much as possible and become a rival of Newhope in scale and size. As it stands, some of the civilians view such construction projects too hasty and sudden, many others say otherwise.

Davin’s Hold isn’t just expanding in buildings, also in populace. It is now spoken that the colors of Vandergon can be seen flown on the banners of her lands. There is also words that speak of those whom were once of Vandergon making their way to Davin’s Hold, heeding her call to reform, and bring back what was once lost. While there are only a few, word seems to be spreading at an alarming speed.

Meanwhile, back in City state of Newhope, the power vacuum left by the departure of some of the former council has not been forgotten or uncontested for. One such noble, Celestial  Arragones, has been noted by many to be soaking up the contacts, support, and influence that has been left by Governess Catherine and her aides. As to how much power she has obtained, it cannot be truly guessed at but one could guess that it is more than a fair share of what there was left in the wake.

The war is quiet this month, as the nearly countless warriors move up to the wall to prepare. While there is little fighting at the moment, the forces dwell on regrets, loved ones, dreams and aspirations. The forces enjoy this small calm before the storm, for what lies before them is what hasn’t happened in their written history. A united force of ulven numbering over three-thousand fighting together against the mordok menace.

With the coming of the harvests, the continent is moving in to a large amount of activity.

The colonies of Newhope are busy with a large amount of building and improving their slowly growing settlements. From walls, banks, and taverns, the colonies are becoming more fleshed out with the abundance of harvest this year. However, with the harvests, comes the bandits. It has been noted that the bandit activity for the colonies has also risen, but it doesn’t seem to be out of the ordinary when compared to previous years.

The Settlement of Aylin’s Reach seems to be oddly busy with a peculiar project. It seems that shipwrights and lumber mills in the area are working hard to try and create a large vessel that, has been rumored, to have been requisitioned by an extremely wealthy noble. As for the purpose or use this vessel may serve, it has yet to be seen.

Dominet Martingale seems to have thrown another party this month, and one to be remembered. The “Harvest Festival” that was hosted by the Martingale quickly turned in to a drunkard’s haven as nobles, merchants, and people of name came to this party. Many were invited, and many were let into the event, which led to overcapacity of the estate. It has been said that four casks of Phoenix Wine, two casks of Luna Shine, twelve casks of wine, and four kegs of fine whiskey was consumed in the course of the night, along with an almost endless amount of foods. The next morning there were people hanging in trees, passed out on the roads, and incapacitated in every room

The Ulven clans continue to push back the Mordok lines beyond that of the Shield of Mardrun. They are meeting only mild resistance at best during their fights. Many are concerned, while many are becoming optimistic with the war just right around the corner that their foes will continue to be as difficult as they were before. The majority of these thinkers are barely older than pups, while the more veteran warriors try their best to remind them that they are only facing the weakest of what the swamp has to offer.

It seems that persistence has finally paid off. Clan Axehound has agreed to meet with Clan Whiteoak to begin negotiations between the two, as led by Pack Redwind. Word quickly spreads outward from Axehound territory, however, that their leadership is unconvinced that Clan Whiteoak will bring anything to the table, much less honor any agreement made. Still, even though it was likely through the continued pressure from Pack Redwind and Clan Grimward, this could be the vital first step to a lasting peace between Clan Whiteoak and Clan Axehound.

Clan Squallborn continues to find itself treading water as they are unable to retake their best farmlands from New Aldoria and Stormjarl. Their people continue to ration carefully, and while this will certainly keep them away from starvation, it has bred a bitterness within them. They are raiders and warriors; Squallborn ships crave the sea as their blades crave the blood of Mordok. Unfortunately for their cravings, their current situation will allow them neither as they must focus first and foremost on their own survival.

Clan Axehound has claimed a great feat which, while unconfirmed, has been supported by the recent stillness of the Great Forest. A warpack led by Warleader Hoskul Axehound himself claims to have slain the Mordok shaman which had infested the Great Forest since the beginning of the year. Thus far, it had eluded capture and combat and while not a large-scale threat, the caster was more than an inconvenience to those who made their living near the tree line. Hopefully, they can rest a little easier now.

Grand Duke Richards emphatically declares his recent market faire to be a resounding success. The mood was high despite the dark times; drinks and silver flowed like the Yurnai River as merchants set up their tents and hawked their wares to the gathered crowds. Warriors from across Mardrun competed in honorable combat for prizes and the entertainment of the masses. Even Prince Aylin made an appearance so far from home, and without knowing any better, one might think that this was a time of peace, prosperity, and joy rather than the beginnings of a continent-wide war.

On a darker note, wisps of a rumor have floated around about a massive fight that broke out on the coast near the border of Clan Grimward. Apparently, the town guard had a revolt on their hands and was barely able to contain the situation before the army had to be called in. You’d think with something so major, you would have heard a bit more about it.

Pack Redwind, a clanless pack made up of former members of both Clans Axehound and Whiteoak, has been suing for peace between the two rivals for generations, though they have doubled their efforts with the Shield of Mardrun in the forefront of everyone’s mind. Their negotiations have been a string of misfortunes, however: their first negotiator was found dead in Whiteoak territory, and not through an accident or Mordok attack. Their letters have also been met with stubbornness and pride, each side willing to demand sacrifices from the other but neither willing to give anything in return. They have expressed, however, that they plan to continue in their push to unite the clans, or at the very least get them to agree to stop killing each other for a little while.

As trade in her settlement of Daven’s Hold increases, Governess Katherine renews her vigor in recruiting the men and women of Vandregon, or those who will uphold their ideals of virtue and strength, to join her in reforming the once great kingdom. Recruits have been seen venturing to the town, though it can be described as a trickle at best. Still, her heart seems unchanged and her dedication to this reformation has long been considered unshakable.

Pillars of smoke can be seen rising from Starkhaven for miles around. Tales of the siege eventually spread to every corner of Mardrun, telling of the negotiations, the maneuvering, and the battles that took place within those walls. Ultimately, though, they settle on the final outcome: a large portion of the keep burned to the ground before an agreement was reached. The Hand of Arnath was lost in the fire, as was the Council of Griffins. Leadership for the Order of the Fist was taken into custody, leading to an uncountable number of rumors about the exact details of what happened.

As focus shifts to the eastern front of the Shield of Mardrun, an outpost manned by Clan Whiteoak is lost to the Mordok. Unable to hold the territory against the constant churning of their enemy, the clan is forced to retreat, though one of their warpacks is able to regroup with their allies not long after. With Ulven, human, and Syndar steel glinting in the sun, a brutal fight ensues. As the dust settles, the Mordok either lay dead or have long since retreated. The outpost once again belongs to Clan Whiteoak and the Shield of Mardrun.

Bonfires rage next to funeral pyres as the Shield of Mardrun continues to meet with success on the western front. Clan Shattered Spear, with Pack Dawnrock at the vanguard, continue to steadily take territory from the Mordok as their allies push construction of outposts along the way. To the east, however, Clan Whiteoak continues to struggle to keep pace. Distracted by their ancient rivals to the south, the leadership of Clan Whiteoak has begun to call in favors from other clans, pleading with them to put an end to Axehound aggression. Most clans are slow to action on this request, seeing the issue as one outside their jurisdiction if they could even spare the resources to help. Most of Whiteoak’s support has come from letters bearing the names of Branthur Nightriver and Haygreth Grimward, each strongly wording their displeasure with Axehound.

Prince Aylin has announced recently that he has contracted several of the finest shipwrights in Aylin’s Reach to begin construction on a new vessel, to be named the I.A.S. Horizon. Though he has been accused of doing so simply for publicity’s sake, the Prince has claimed that this ship will be faster and better equipped to handle the waters in and around Mardrun than any vessel, human or ulven.

Newhope has seen a recent uptick in security. Guards at the main gate have nearly doubled, and patrols of Watch members can be felt around every other corner. Duchess Mary cul-Tricuspis has personally taken to overseeing the training of the new guards, while Duchess Madeline d’Argent has declared a number of recruitment drives seeking armed warriors to serve as escorts and security to merchant caravans. Is this a response to the Shield of Mardrun, or to some threat as of yet undisclosed by the leadership?

Early in the month, the forces recalled by the Order of Arnath’s Fist moved quickly to secure the keep from the inside out, denouncing the corruption inherent in the Order of the Light. They isolated the Hand of Arnath from the rest of the settlement and implemented a form of martial law. In response, the Order of the Light has accused the Order of the Fist of performing a coup of Starkhaven and have moved to cut off supplies, effectively besieging their brothers and sisters within their homes.

Whispers of a coming conflict facing the Order of Arnath have emerged as troops seem to be retreating within the sturdy walls of Starkhaven. Fist Lions and militia stationed in Serai have made preparations to return home, and it seems the Light has been caught by surprise by these actions. Maybe there was just a miscommunication?

To the north, Clan Ironmound has been hard at work supplying the materials necessary to construct a string of military outposts along the Shield of Mardrun. Through this grueling effort, hammers rang and forges flared; songs to the Great Wolf were raised, yet their spirits grew as tired as their limbs. Many smiths of Ironmound are armorsmiths or weaponsmiths eager to forge tools of war for their brothers and sisters. They have found a great honor in forging tools for the outposts to be sure, but their passionate fires have not been stoked as of late. They have seen the light at the end of the tunnel, however, as the orders for the outposts have been filled slowly but surely. Soon, they can tell themselves, we can return to crafting blades, shields, and mail!

In reference to her recent departure from Newhope’s ruling council, Governess Katherine has officially renamed the settlement of Daven’s Reach to Daven’s Hold. She has also taken to improving the infrastructure and economy of the settlement, taking a far more involved route than she had previously. Her most recent efforts have been to establish exports from the town, while Baron Montesque helps to administer agricultural reform. Lady Al-Azarma, while still removed from any position of official power, has been called upon to advise the Governess in matters of culture, magic, and education. Time will tell how effective these new initiatives prove to be.

Following the news of the fracturing of the Council of Ten, much of the work in the city-state has slowed. Politicians swarm like vultures to help fill the power vacuum left by Governess Katherine, Lady Al-Azarma, and Baron Montesque, hoping to pick the bones clean after their employers have had their fill. Grand Duke Richards seems to be doing his part to keep the city-state running, taking a more hands-on approach with policies and showing his face more frequently to keep the populace satisfied and relaxed. Celestial Arragonnes has also been more of a public figure, as many speculate that she may be best suited for the position vacated by Katherine.

The Shield of Mardrun has been established and the initial pushes into the Swamp to combat the Mordok have begun: Clan Shattered Spear, bolstered not only by their recent absorption of Clan Riverhead, but also by reinforcements from Clan Grimward, has led the charge. Their assaults have caught the Mordok off guard and have proven surprisingly effective. To the east, however, Clan Whiteoak has struggled to keep pace with their neighbor. Harassed by Clan Axehound to the south, they have been unable to devote the necessary troops to the Shield of Mardrun. To make matters worse, Clan Stormjarl has refused to lend their substantial martial might to any front where it might directly benefit Clan Grimward. It seems that the wounds inflicted during the civil war have not yet healed.

Clan Squallborn, still reeling from the harsh winter and the loss of much of their farmland, has been able to cling to hope on the back of wagons sent from Clan Whiteoak and from around Mardrun, keeping their demoralized civilians fed throughout the season. As the snow melts, they have also set about establishing new farms. This effort has put them back in a stable position moving forward. Times may be tough, but they will be manageable with proper planning and rationing.