Various tales and stories pour from Clan Shattered Spear as refugees travel eastward as their homeland is unable to sustain a defense against their invaders. While everyone has heard the past stories of Clan Grimward burning villages and destroying farmland as they initially invaded Clan Shattered Spear, now the news has changed. Travelers heading east speak of no more plumes of fire and smoke following them as they retreat from villages and towns, the invasion having long ago stopped being for destruction and instead being for conquering.
While it is unclear if chosen out of duress from Clan Grimward’s prior letters, a decision of their own, or other possible reasons, Clan Spiritclaw and Clan Steinjottun Clanleaders have separately declared neutrality in this war. Along with their declarations, statements travel that their borders currently remain open to outsiders and trade, although it is unclear if that will continue. All four of the northern clans have variably begun to accept refugee packs and individuals coming out of Clan Shattered Spear, although refugees traveling to the clans who declared neutrality are warned that they will not be allowed to rejoin the war, lest risking the neutrality statements of their hosts. As the fighting continues in Clan Shattered Spear, it is unclear where their people will make their new home or if they will become split into pieces of their former clan.
Prince Aylin’s banners have been seen traveling through ulven territories as he deploys extra troops to The Spire to reinforce their territory near The Pass of The Hackles. The Prince does not hide that he is in discussion with his council and various groups to determine where he will focus his support in this conflict, but for now his remaining forces and ships remain at home. Rumor has it that there is a small window for negotiations to persuade his decision, which is expected to be finalized at the end of September.
Between the sustained brutal heat and unrelenting storms sweeping the continent, some Daughters of Gaia preach that the Goddess Gaia herself is intervening to stop the bloodshed; her tears birthing the endless storms and fury burning the landscape as she watches her children slaughter each other. The bloodshed does not slow though, and the Daughters warn of worsening intervention should the conflict continue.
Proud news from Warleader Holmar Bloodmoon of Clan Nighriver quickly spreads this month as he leads a large group of warpacks crashing into Clan Grimward’s defensive positions on the east side of The Pass. Through their fury and need for blood-soaked revenge, the clan struck hard and organized against the prepared defenders, and while many lives were lost the eventual retreat of Grimward’s forces was undeniable. With their entrance to the east side of pass secured, Grimward lost any paths that could have been used to raid Nightriver lands further, but as Nightriver progressed deeper into The Pass they found that Grimward had continued their defensive preparations in the middle of it as well, the extent of which is not known at this time. Further to the north, Clan Nightriver banners are seen fighting Clan Stonetooth at the southern edge of Clan Shattered Spear’s lost territory, although rumors pass that these forces may not be staying long due to the rapidly upcoming harvest season. Despite Clan Goldenfield greatly aiding with supplies, they alone cannot feed all of Clan Nightriver’s war efforts.
With the continent focused on the war sweeping across it, a horrific rumor barely manages to spread to southern lands from travelers and refugees moving through the northern clans. A Clan Shattered Spear Daughter of Gaia was found in Clan Axhound territory, dead and hollowed. The cause of this tragedy remains unknown and the body is currently being transported to Clan Spiritclaw who requested to provide a special funeral pyre ritual to the Goddess Gaia for the Daughter’s passage. Preparations are already underway for the soon upcoming ritual, with which many more Daughters are expected to arrive to give sympathy and gain solace.