Elanthian Journal/Edition 06
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< Elanthian Journal
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The Elanthian Journal
Edition #6
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The following articles of interest are contained herein:
1 ........................ Mayor Makes Statement
2 ........................ City Takes Action
3 ........................ No Shortage of Short Swords
4 ........................ Town Clerk discovers Falsified
Records
5 ........................ Beloved Editor Found Dead!
6 ........................ Disposition of the 5th and 6th Lich
Vessels
7 ........................ Icemule prepares for Harsh Winter
8 ........................ An Ancient Debt
9 ........................ Letters to the Editor: Decline of
the Small Town?
10 ....................... Letters to the Editor: Iron Fist in
a Velvet Glove
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Mayor Makes Statement
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Dateline: Day 26 of Koaratos, 5102: Wehnimer's Landing
The Mayor's Office of Wehnimer's Landing, reacting to an
increase in citizen complaints issued the following statement.
"It has come to our attention that many citizens have been
being persecuted by certain special interested groups, looking
to collect silvers for "protection" and then arranging to have
said citizens burgled or other such crimes to property or
person. These actions will be no longer tolerated. I have
authorized the Constable to hire a force of town guards.
These guards are responsible for enforcing the law."
Anzell, the local armorer praised the changes. "Its about
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time. The amount they have been asking for protection is
ludicrous. I will not pay!" Kilron, a resident shop owner,
agreed and donated a small sum of silver for the upkeep of the
guards.
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City Takes Action
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Dateline: Day 26 of Koaratos, 5102: Wehnimer's Landing
As their first official act in response to a recent statement
made by the Mayor, the town guards began patrols of the
Wehnimer's Landing streets. Residents are encouraged to
report suspicious activity.
There are also reports that the Mayor of Wehnimer's Landing
has retained a local barrister to audit all town accounts.
The Register and the Debt Collector have agreed to fully
cooperate and have a full accounting no later than the 31st of
Koaratos. The Constable's records were also requested, but
he has been unavailable for comment.
Wehnimer's Landing is slowly being rebuilt after the
disastrous attack of the Dark Alliance many months ago.
Thanks in no small part to its citizens, who have diligently
harvested wood from the surrounding forests and braved many an
angry kobold for doing so. The Mayor would like to extend his
thanks for such gestures of goodwill, and has decided to throw
an impromptu celebration on behalf of these adventurers who
went above-and-beyond in this effort. Merchants and others
have been invited to the town, and the Mayor himself said that
since most of the shops have been repaired, that the way is
now paved to start cleaning up the town itself.
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No Shortage of Short Swords
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Dateline: Day 14 of Lumnea, 5102: Wehnimer's Landing
Concern has been raised recently about the alarming number of
short swords dropped in the forest near the Landing. The
swords are dropped by the legions of kobolds that are defeated
in the vicinity daily. They are sometimes cleaned up, but are
usually left to sit in the woods and rust. Many a traveler
has lost a foot when stepping into a bush. And the diseases
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spread due to the rust make this hazard even worse.
Local citizens are concerned about their children venturing
outside of town and finding these weapons strewn about. The
Mayor of the Landing, though unreachable for comment, replied
to inquiries via messenger. He states, "We cannot be held
responsible for what happens in the wilds. We have only so
many resources, which are now particularly taxed. People
concerned about the forest litter problems should keep their
children inside the city walls for the time being."
A local group is organizing clean-up days for exploring the
forest and removing the hazards. Warrior and empath escorts
are being contracted for the job.
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Town Clerk discovers Falsified Records
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Dateline: Day 14 of Lumnea, 5102: Wehnimer's Landing
The town clerk of Wehnimer's Landing has discovered a series
of falsified documents registered in his office. They appear
to have official seals and signatures on them, but are now,
upon further inspection, forgeries. The records, which
include real estate deeds, silver notes, property claims, and
certificates of death, seem to be registered to a number of
non-existent people, some dead, some unknown. The clerk is
working hard to identify a pattern that will lead to the
culprit.
"This appears to be an ongoing effort by person or persons in
the Landing to defraud the town of property and wealth," said
the clerk. "We will not rest until the culprits are uncovered
and brought to justice!" The clerk will be working long hours
until the mystery is solved.
Some townsfolk, however, are less optimistic about the chances
of catching the criminals. "You can bet yer last silver that
iffin these notes was found, they was meant ta be found," said
town locksmith Larton. "Whoever did this, ain't about ta be
caught. If ya found five forgeries, dere's bound ta be fifty.
Plus, whoever did this, might just slide a silver in da right
way, and the whole mess be cleaned up. Know what I mean?"
The locksmith would not elaborate on his final comment. The
Mayor was unavailable for an interview regarding high level
corruption in his office or in the Moot Hall.
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Beloved Editor Found Dead!
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DATELINE: 15th of Lumnea, 5102: Wehnimer's Landing
In the earliest hours of the morning, the Landing's
constabulary was roused. They discovered Rharosch Dashovath's
corpse, lying in the street, surrounded by broken glass.
According to sources, the glass is from a second story window
in a local inn, where the Journal's editor had been staying.
Preliminary investigation has the constable calling the death
a suicide, although he has yet to completely rule out foul
play. Inside sources do, however, reveal that the former
Journal editor suffered a severe beating before his death.
Experts in such matters were brought in to assist the
investigation, including several local sages and an elven
diviner from a southern settlement, but their findings were
scarce. Wounds found on the body suggest that the victim had
been badly beaten before his two-story fall, perhaps with a
club, mace, or other blunt weapon.
Officials are baffled by this turn of events, saying that
Dashovath, although abrasive, was well liked among the local
merchants and craftsmen. When asked for comment, local
blacksmith, Iron Jack, said, "Well, at least he paid his bills
on time."
Some official sources speculate that, if the editor's death
was indeed a suicide, it was likely inspired by Dashovath's
burgeoning debts, which have recently been exacerbated by his
foray into the publishing business.
Journal insiders cite a recent rivalry with another publisher
as the motive behind, what they say is, Dashovath's alleged
murder. The editorial staff of the rival Elanthian Times has
made several public, and rather inflammatory, statements
regarding the late editor. As of press time, the Times staff
could not be reached for comment.
At least one eyewitness has come forward, supporting claims
that this may indeed be a murder case. While wishing to
remain anonymous, he has stated that he saw a "tall man,
dressed all in black, wearing a deeply hooded cloak" flee the
scene, only moments after Dashovath's body struck the
cobblestones. He continues to say that the events he
witnessed attracted his attention because, "they were
disturbing the sky."
The local constable has assured that he and his staff will,
"... follow every lead to its ultimate conclusion with all due
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diligence."
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Disposition of the 5th and 6th Lich Vessels
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Dateline: 23rd of Lumnea, 5102: Icemule Trace
The fifth vessel of the nine liches of the former Council of
Ten was discovered on the 31st day of Ivastaen in the mine on
Mine Road outside Wehnimer's Landing. The vessel took the
form of a blackened metallic sphere and was espied under the
dead corpse of the old miner by this writer. Subsequently, I
gave the sphere over to Thurfel for placement upon the altar.
However, the corpse of the old miner was animated by a lich
when the sphere was uncovered.
This corpse set its sights upon Atoyoz, thus warning us the
orb was that of the lich who had her in possession, the other
of the two females of the Council, the one named Cheritz. We
managed to all get safely into the vault via a portal opened
by the magic of the firemage. Once the sphere was upon the
altar, Atoyoz was freed from possession, though this process
proved as painful as it had formerly for Blizzerdd, resulting
in her death. However, she was raised finally free of the
taint of the lich.
The sixth vessel of the Nine was discovered on the 20th of
Lumnea in Pioneer Cemetery outside Icemule Trace. This vessel
took the form of a flickering mist-filled orb and was unturned
within the mausoleum of Talbot Dabbings by the young bardess
Tesserah. Trianvar immediately accosted her, letting it be
known was his orb. Tesserah also gave the sphere over to
Thurfel for placement upon the altar. Immediately upon its
receipt into Thurfel's hands, the lich lost his ability to
possess Opalina and killed her in anger, though this action
could not stop the ultimate freeing of her soul.
Trianvar was enraged with this turn in events and, as the orb
was placed upon the altar in the vault, he summoned undead
from the earth. These minions of the lich attacked Icemule,
killing many. Thurfel aided the townsfolk in defense of the
Trace. In the end, Thurfel and Trianvar squared off against
one another in the Ice Garden of Voln. The lich was majorly
damaged by the firemage before fleeing in cowardice.
So the total count thus far is six vessels found, four in
Thurfel's possession, and two in the liches' possession.
Additionally, the firemage mentioned that he believed the
liches will re-hide the two spheres they now hold, as they
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would be fearful of them being taken from them by force. This
does seem to indeed be the case, as Thulevier -- the lich in
Vonka and one who does hold his own orb, seemingly spoke to
her recently via private mind thoughts, saying he does intend
to re-hide his vessel where no one will ever find it.
Lady Iscikella Zinnonn
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Icemule prepares for Harsh Winter
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Dateline: Day 14 of Lumnea, 5102: Icemule Trace
All the signs point to a particularly harsh winter for the
residents of Icemule. Though winter is far off, many
elemental experts are pointing to signs in nature that this
winter could rival the Witch Winter experienced in the Empire
some 375 years ago. If so, passes may freeze over completely,
making travel impossible. Local authorities are hesitant to
make preparations for the possible harsh storms that will
accompany the severe season, due to the repeated false
warnings issued by elemental experts in the past.
Some concerned citizens have started hoarding supplies in
preparation. Oil and wood, normally in short supply, have
become increasingly scarce. Dried food stuffs are also being
purchased in record numbers. Fur traders are becoming rich
overnight as their goods are in much higher demand. Most
merchants are not making any additional runs to the northern
outpost, as the official stance of the Merchant's Guild is
that the predictions are nonsense. This may change if demand
remains high.
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An Ancient Debt
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Dateline: Day 5 of Koaratos, 5102: Ta'Illistim
A few weeks ago, a strange mist appeared in the potter's
field, accompanied by a hissing whisper. The whisperer was
Eldar of the Darken, who said he served Lord Borarus. He told
us that Borarus was once a great king, defeated dishonorably
in battle ages ago. He would not say who the sides were or why
they fought, but he did say that Borarus and the Darken had
been imprisoned by Luukos, and that Borarus had recently
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defeated Luukos and escaped. Those present were asked to swear
fealty to Borarus, and I and three others did so.
Unsure of their intentions, and seeing the eagerness of the
others to do their bidding without question, I swore fealty,
hoping that I could gain more information, should the Darken's
intentions be ill. Once sworn, we were asked to collect troll
parts. On the night set to return, none of the others sworn
arrived, and I alone deposited the items, which were swallowed
by the mist. Eldar said the Darken mages would resurrect
Borarus, who would rely on the regenerative properties of the
troll parts to heal for a fortnight. He thanked me and said I
would be richly rewarded.
I returned to the 'holy' spot, two weeks later, accompanied by
my fiancee and Amazon Sisters. The ground fissured, and
Borarus came; he spoke at length and answered questions in a
roundabout manner. We feared he served Luukos and planned
misfortune on our town, but Borarus assured us, in his own
way, that he followed no Arkati, and said he had been
assassinated in the war Eldar had mentioned. Luukos had stolen
his soul as it journeyed to the Ebon Gate, trapping him and
the Darken until Darken mages were able to find the right
magics to free them all.
When he finished his tale, Borarus charged me with a quest: to
drop a diamond within the gates of Ta'Illistim, to complete a
spell to release the Darken's souls from Luukos' grasp. He
said the Darken had been a peaceful and loyal people in life,
and his aid in their salvation was simply a repayment of a
debt, since the Darken mages had worked tirelessly to free
him. We worried that an unspeakable evil might be unleashed
on Ta'Illistim, but Borarus assured us that a freed soul would
wish no harm on anyone.
My Sisters and I journeyed to Ta'Illistim, to await the first
of the month. On the appointed night, Eldar told us that
something had gone amiss. He explained that some of the Darken
had been recaptured by Luukos, and that Borarus was seeking
them. We were to wait until the morrow, but I was asked to
collect diamonds, as they would increase the strength of the
spell. The following night, we were surrounded by shadows and
countless pairs of piercing red eyes. I dropped the diamonds
and suddenly there began a loud hum and chanting. The diamonds
began to glow.
One by one, the diamonds shattered, the shards skittering
across the cobblestones before melting into the ground. As
the last diamond spattered like water on a hot skillet, the
humming intensified and the fragments swirled, filling the
area with dancing lights. The earth rumbled, accompanied by a
deafening roar, and suddenly a sheer white column of light
exploded from the ground. It sounded like a thousand cries of
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joy, and became a fountain of luminescent tears. A violent
wind whipped around us, each droplet of light disappearing as
would an ember, before the ground became silent once more.
When the light faded, Eldar appeared. He hissed no more, as if
Luukos no longer controlled him. He said that Borarus was
again imprisoned, but that many of the Darken had escaped
their bonds. He said that those that remained thanked us, and
that we had succeeded where all others had failed.
He continued, saying that though some of the Darken remain
trapped, many are now free to work against the evils that keep
them trapped within the Mists. He told me, "We may call upon
you again, Nediva of the Amazon. You have proven yourself
loyal and a friend. - Nediva Willowgrove "
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Letters to the Editor: Decline of the Small Town?
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Dateline: Day 22 of Lumnea, 5102
As I have wandered the lands of late, a disturbing trend has
become evident to me. Where once all of the small towns of
Elanthia were welcoming and helpful to citizen and stranger
alike, nowadays they are becoming more short tempered and
isolationist. I hear talk in many towns of how strangers are
ruining the town, how those who have been citizens for quite
some time are ruining the town and how any change at all is a
bad thing. That if anyone speaks of strange things they need
to be run out of town, forcefully if necessary.
In my opinion it is not the strangers or the citizens who do
things you do not agree with that are ruining the towns, it is
those who do not remember two important things. Their own past
and that everyone is a unique person. Everyone was new to the
town they live in at one point and had to learn the customs
and the traditions. Each person also has their own view of how
things should work. Just because it does not agree with your
viewpoint, does that mean they need to be run out of town?
I suggest that we learn from those we do not agree with and
teach those who not only need teaching, but those who disagree
with us. Yes, there are those who refuse to learn, but unless
it is attempted, nothing will ever change. When someone does
something that is against the tradition and customs of a town,
explain to them the tradition and why it is that way. It is
even possible that the traditions may change, just because
something has always been done one way does not mean that it
is the right way or the only way.
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To close, I plead with everyone, remember if you do not like
something, the best way to change it is by your example, not
force and not insults.
A concerned citizen of Elanthia
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Letters to the Editor: Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove
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Dateline: Day 19 of Lumnea, 5102
To the Editor,
I was dismayed to read the letter from Lord Holswort in the
most recent edition of this paper. I hope and pray that my
fellow townspeople are wise enough to read between the lines
of his missive. He is an educated man and has the manners
expected of one known at court. We cannot allow a polished
exterior and keen political mind to betray us into overlooking
the truth of what he offers.
It is there for anyone to read, if they will simply look
beyond the surface into the true meaning of his words. The
Baron Hochstib offers nothing but tyranny. As a frontier town
we are not often embroiled in the political machinations that
run rampant through any empire, be it elven or human. It must
remain this way. Our citizens have shown many times over that
we are able to meet any foe and that we can overcome any
temporary defeat. We do not need the assistance of outsiders
and we especially do not need those for whom politics is a way
of life to stick their noses into our affairs. Our liberty
must be retained at all costs or everything we have built and
fought for over the years will come to naught.
It is asinine for Lord Holswort to claim that his forces could
have or would have stood against the power of Luukos when his
Baron serves the Turamzzyrian Empress, a suspected Luukosian.
His offer of assistance is in truth an offer to put shackles
around our wrists. We must not be blinded by an appearance of
kindness during a time of need. Such "help" would be our
undoing. Take special note of his veiled threat near the end
of his letter. The velvet glove of kindness offered to us by
Jantalar contains an iron fist. Do not ever forget it.
Lady Danay Mayfern - Wehnimer's Landing Citizen
Resources
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