Prince Aylin’s forces have begun to reach the fighting in Goldenfield, supporting the Nightriver forces there to make quick work of reclaiming the territory from Clan Stonetooth. While the situation is still very fresh, with Aylin’s forces still arriving, spirits are high now that a concentrated effort has begun in the area. The warmer weather always means more action, and it seems like Nightriver and Aylin’s Reach are more than prepared for the fights ahead. The only concern now is the increasing worry that too much damage has been done to Goldenfield to be able to recover quickly enough to provide supplies for the continued warfare this year.
The arrest of Duke Joakim Ventrini has lit the flame of the City-State of Newhope’s rumor mill in the weeks following the Political Dinner. With charges of embezzlement, entrapment, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and treason all held against him and no statements made yet by the Council, people wonder if they’ll be made to wait for the trial to get answers. Worse even–wondering if the Duke will survive Newhope detainment the way the last arrested Council member couldn’t. After the coordinated raid on Ventrini’s estate and the continued seizure of all his holdings, its clear that this was no simple arrest. Until Newhope releases an official statement, speculation about the Duke’s crimes is likely to continue to grow to epic proportions.
Not only are Duke Ventrini’s crimes at the top of the mind for many, but the method of his arrest as well. Specifically, an arrest order supported by Prince Aylin and signed by every Council member except the Grand Duke Byron Richards. Questions have begun to rise surrounding this detail– could it be a show of power from the remaining Council members? Was Grand Duke Richards not supportive of the arrest? Once again, only an official Newhope statement can clear the air, but the City-State is mysteriously tight-lipped.
The northern section of the Great Wolf’s Hackles has unleashed, the melt causing a mudslide at the edge of Nightriver’s territory. Thankfully, no major settlements were harmed, but the arduous task of traveling around the fall out will most certainly impact a few Nightriver supply lines as the clan likely does not have the spare hands to begin cleaning up the disaster with all their resources tied up in the war—not to mention the rumors of a planned joint offensive to connect the frontlines of Stormjarl and the Yurnai bridge. Speculation has risen that, being a collection of mountains, perhaps the Great Wolf’s Hackles delivered an equal-measure disaster on the other side, where Clan Grimward will also have to contend with this disaster among their own war efforts.