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Fighting on the front lines is intense during the first few days of the month as both sides attempt to push through before the winter sets in. Bare-chested berserkers from Clan Whiteoak clash against Longfang shields. Volleys of spells are loosed by the Archons standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Daughters of Gaia, only to draw the response of a rain of arrows from across the line. Clerics bearing the blue and white of Bos Mezar hold their ground beside those from the Order of Arnath’s Fist, meeting their opposition with a wall of steel, shields, and faith. With their green hoods as camouflage, several Rangers are able to get the drop on a unit of Grimward warriors as they approach the main battle, setting themselves up for a fight to aid the rest of the line. Wood splinters and steel gleams as the combined forces of Nightriver, Newhope, and New Aldoria stands firm against a wave of Grimward attackers, weathering the storm before returning the fury in kind. With little to look forward to save the red and gold of the Phoenix caravans bringing food to the camps, the hungry warriors are beginning to feel the desperation of this war, hoping to return soon and see and end of all this bloodshed. After the previous weeks of deadly combat, however, there is a surprising break in the fighting. Troops readily seize the opportunity to rest and tend to their wounded, though the leaders present remain wary and maintain their patrols. Shortly thereafter, scouts return, gasping for breath after their journey but quickly recovering enough to manage a smile…

News from the front lines arrives in a hurry, with couriers and hawks bearing joyous news: The Grimward forces are, in large part, retreating! The final push before the coming winter seems to have been a success, giving Coalition forces a much-needed chance to rest and recover. A number of Whiteoak and Grimward warpacks remain in the area, however, and are still cause for concern to those stationed on the vanguard. A general unease settles over much of the main force as they press the retreat, coming across a multitude of Grimward camps, all but abandoned: Tents are left standing, coals still warm in fire pits, the occasional bit of food or clothing left scattered about.

Clan Shattered Spear, eager to return home, has sent word through the many units stationed on or near their territory that the would be willing to discuss terms with any who are willing to hold their lines for the winter. Many among Nightriver have expressed a degree of disgust with such offers, insisting that Shattered Spear warriors should defend their own homes, not hire the work out to others. Tensions have been building in shared camps, and though neither side has been dissuaded from their points, these arguments have not escalated beyond words.

As news of the retreat reaches Newhope, a cry of excitement can nearly be heard blocks away from its source: Martingale Manor. Quickly, fliers are posted and distributed around the bustling city, inviting one and all to a gala to be held “in honor of the brave men and women who fought to bring this bloody mess to an end” near the end of the winter. Many lower-class citizens, however, have taken to the streets in what have as of yet remained non-violent protests decrying the wasteful manner of these parties, especially during a time of such need. The down-trodden in particular have not forgotten about the food shortage facing Newhope, despite the aid given by the Ravens and their agents in the city. Drastic measures may be taken, they warn, if these goods to keep the city from starving are squandered on an obscenely extravagant party to appease the whims of the wealthiest citizens. Martingale and other nobles have responded, insisting that the supplies they have received will be more than enough to last the winter, and that such an event will be good for morale and lead to higher yields in the months after the spring thaw. Concerns remain, judging by shortages from previous years, and more support would definitely be welcomed, though the city’s stores seem to be holding up thus far.

Despite being an early and reliable ally in the war, Clan Axhound has remained fairly quiet this month, with fewer reports trickling in regarding their current situation with Clan Whiteoak. The lack of information has many leaders worried, although Branthur has stepped in on a multitude of occasions to ease those concerns, assuring people that the nature of their relationship with Clan Whiteoak has likely caused them to be spending more time and effort on the war, rather than on their allies, and he feels it would be safe to assume the fighting has been dying down on that front as well, hopefully leading to Axhound returning to the war as a whole shortly.

Hushed whispers have been spreading throughout the front lines, following in Branthur’s wake: many warriors claim to have seen Kragen Bloodmoon himself, Warleader of Clan Nightriver, in custody. The reasoning for this has yet to be divined, although the frequency of these rumors lends credence to the story. Kragen’s personal warpack seems to have gone missing, although additional rumors claim they were branded and sent north to the Dirge Swamp to atone for whatever misdeeds could have led to such a harsh punishment with their lives. Worry spreads among the camp, although Branthur has announced plans to address the group as a whole when the time is right. He has requested the presence of a multitude of clans for the announcement, and rumor has it that even Clan Grimward’s presence has been requested.

The Truthseekers of Clan Spiritclaw have been hard at work attempting to locate any and all Lorespeakers they may be able to find, though their resources are stretched thin. Many packs have begun offering rewards for information that leads to the apprehension of a Lorespeaker, more for the capture of one alive. They insist that they mean to question those they find, although rumors of vigilante justice among other clans have led to some concern about Spiritclaw’s true intentions.

Clan Stormjarl, thirsty for vengeance for their fallen brothers and sisters, is eager to push into Grimward territory. Taking advantage of the situation, they claim, could set Grimward back on their heels enough to force them to surrender if they cannot withstand the winter. Stormjarl will be hard pressed to inflict any significant damage on Clan Grimward at this time due to their reduced numbers, but have been emboldened by the effectiveness of their tactics to remove any strategic value from the lands they once called home. Grimward-controlled villages, once in Stormjarl territory, have had their fields salted, their crops burned, and their walls sabotaged, making them more trouble to hold than they are worth. This has led to the vast tract of land spanning between Stormjarl and Grimward, colloquially known to Stormjarl as “Haygreth’s Scar”, a region of barren fields, charred remains of buildings, and an eerie quiet more deafening than the battles that led to its inception. Clan Ironmound, however, has seen enough blood shed for this year and is insisting that the Coalition remains in place, bolstering defenses in preparation for the Spring thaw which will inevitably bring more fighting, and have been calling for warriors and laborers alike both to hold the lines and begin construction on additional buildings in the area.

As the soldiers and warriors take full advantage of their small vacation from the fighting, their leaders remain unconvinced. While some are using this opportunity to build morale among their troops, others insist they remain vigilant. Grimward’s retreat seemed too hasty and premature. Until that day comes, however, time will only tell what the future holds for the Coalition…

Worry spreads in hushed tones across the continent this month as both sides in the Civil War see a dramatic increase in aggression, especially near the Pass through the Great Wolf’s Hackles. In a large-scale push to wound their opponent before the chill of winter forces them to stay their hand, Branthur Nightriver has once again put out the call for any and all who reside on his land to do their part to ensure a swift victory. Several of his warpacks, accompanied by those of his allies and the units sent by the Coalition and Colony armies have been able to make a solid push into Grimward territory this month, though the offensive has left them less able to defend some key positions, an opportunity that Grimward has seized with haste. Momentum has built on both sides, each refusing to back down. Even a handful of Lions from the Order of Arnath’s Fist, along with a unit of militiamen bearing the mark of Starkhaven have come forward offering their skills both on and off the battlefield, their resolve strengthened by the support gathered by the Coalition. The entire border that Clan Grimward shares with Clans Ironmound and Shattered Spear has become a war zone, often erupting into small hit-and-run attacks. Full-scale decisive battles have yet to rage, though the pressure building in the region surely means that it will not be long before they do. Several villages are raided on both sides of the war, each side eager to lash out at their enemy. The fighting is not confined to the Ironmound, Shattered Spear, and Grimward borders, however: Increased aggression from both Clan Whiteoak and Clan Axhound has been reported, both seizing an opportunity to harm their ancestral foe. Ships bearing the emblem of Clan Squallborn have been spotted in increasing number along the coasts, though the small clan’s territory itself has remained mostly quiet. By order of Graytir, Stormjarl warpacks have begun to retake their homeland in a bold maneuver, opting to burn the buildings and crops to the ground rather than attempt to weather the storm of Grimward invasion. This has led to a long swath of land being rendered unusable in the hopes that Grimward will be unable to use the land they have conquered. The massive movement spurred by the war is unrivaled in Ulven recorded history, both of warriors marching to the front lines and civilians evacuating their homes, which are no longer safe. Clans Grimward and Ironmound (along with their Longfang allies) released a number of documents recovered from a Lorespeaker cache deep in the Dirge Swamp recently, turning the concept of Ulven honor on its head. The documents – which seem to indicate that not only was it not taboo for Ulven to kill each other generations ago, it was not even uncommon – have helped to justify the bloodshed to some of the more eager warriors, no longer fearful of the dishonor they may face in the next life. Many, however, still cling to the ways they were taught, ready to defend their homes to the death, but uneasy about killing their own kind. The killing of their brothers and sisters was bad enough when it was kept to small border skirmishes, but now clans march to a war the likes of which has not been seen in generations, if these documents are to be trusted.

Without a solid effort to remove the invaders from the coastal Nightriver villages, warriors from Clan Whiteoak have been able to establish a foothold in unfriendly territory. With the bulk of Nightriver’s forces focusing on the front lines of the war, the berserkers have been able to raid and pillage virtually unopposed. A number of Chieftains in the area have urged Branthur to either help them or find someone who will. Such a task will surely not be as easy as it may sound, however, as reports have surfaced that the Squallborn ships, which originally deposited the troops on Nightriver soil, have remained in the area as well.

A number of Lorespeakers has already been captured and turned over to Cahal Spiritclaw and Branthur Nightriver, who have set about the delicate task of learning the truth from those who have proven themselves liars. The will of the Lorespeakers already captured seems to be stronger than anticipated, however, and efforts to extract information from them have proven relatively futile thus far. Threats of violence, shame, and even death seem not to faze the captives as they would a normal Ulven. Branthur has continued to offer rewards for the capture of any living Lorespeakers, however, hoping that one of them will reveal the true depths of their deception in due time. Many Ulven feel betrayed by these supposed historians, who appear to have willfully deceived the Ulven people for generations about their true history. As a result, vigilante justice continues to pop up in some of the more remote locations of Mardrun, the perpetrators eager to have their sense of vengeance appeased. This anger, justified or otherwise, has begun to spill over into other groups, however: A handful of reports indicate that a number of Truthseekers have gone missing in the past weeks, with others voicing their disapproval of the group’s inability to discover a lie of these proportions.

Newhope continues to struggle to maintain their level of involvement in the war, eager to not be outdone by New Aldoria. While they have communicated with Branthur and respectfully scaled back their shipments of food and supplies, many in the colony fear it will not be enough. Lord Baron Richards has swallowed his pride and put out a call for help, asking other settlements to pledge supplies for Newhope so the colony can survive the winter. If insufficient resources are gathered or promised, the colony will need to drastically reduce their involvement at this critical point in time.

Reports of Mordok acting strangely around the Great Forest continue, drawing the attention of several packs among the nearby clans. Ever the cunning predators, the Mordok have been eschewing their normal ways and completely avoiding all combat with the Ulven, focusing instead on their task at hand. Almost as if with a singular mind, the Mordok continue their exodus with relentless drive towards their goal: North.

A letter, hand delivered by a young Ulven dressed in brown with accents of the blue and black of Nightriver, arrives at each of the major settlements inside Nightriver territory. Others in more distant locales receive a hawk bearing the same message.

“To my allies, friends, and brothers among the Coalition,

The time has come for us to end this war. Recently I made it known that if you were to continue to live on my land, you would contribute to the fight, and you have done well in that regard. Now I must ask you once again to dig deep into your stores, your coffers, and your barracks for one final assault before the winter comes.

This coming month will be the most crucial to date. We must strike as deep as we are able into the Grimward war machine before the winter sets in. In doing so, Grimward will be forced to retreat and lick their many wounds while trying to survive the colder months. With any luck, they will soon realize the error of their ways and sue for peace, an outcome we can all revel in.

If you have troops, send them. If you have food, send it. If you can afford mercenaries and sellswords, send them as well. Any and all resources can be used, and your involvement will be rewarded once the day is ours.

The Ulven way is to run towards our problems, not away from them. That is precisely what we will do, and may the Great Wolf’s ears ring with our names before the day is through.

Fight with honor, brothers!

Branthur Nightriver,
Clanleader of Clan Nightriver”

The continent of Mardrun is eerily quiet. What culminated into a brutal and bloody fight in Stormjarl territory over the winter has turned into a quiet break from the chaos. Spring and summer both have come and gone; warriors nervously watch the horizon for the next attack and farmers work their fields while looking over their shoulder for raiders who might attack them and their property. The defenses around the last remaining settlement of Clan Stormjarl held against the crashing tide of Clan Grimward invaders in the spring and then… nothing. Scouts and hunters report that Grimward forces remain in the conquered territory. Rumor has it that Grimward, without anyone to contest their control of most of Stormjarl’s territory, has isolated and conquered all the villages and remaining settlements. Looting of anything useful and even the capture of Stormjarl villagers seems likely. Clan Stormjarl is in no position to retaliate and take back their territory and instead has tried to recover from the fight, gather as many supplies as possible, and continue to expand on their defenses. The Yurnai River remains decimated; with all the bridges still destroyed Clan Stormjarl is effectively cut off from the rest of the continent unless they travel by sea.
The Watchwolves have sent word that the civil war in their territory has also been quiet… Grimward continues to wait just outside of Watchwolf territory after being beaten back by coalition forces. Just like to the south, Haygreth’s forces have been eerily quiet. The Watchwolf leaders believe he is preparing to renew his attack and if they press North into Watchwolf territory, it is feared that the settlement cannot hold out further. This western half of the clan spent the spring and summer licking their wounds and trying to recover from their stand against Grimward’s army and is not prepared to fight again. Rumors say that the Watchwolves may attempt to speak terms with Haygreth or that their involvement with the war may end soon… but nothing has been confirmed and the political representatives to the Clan have been quiet about the subject. Without additional allies, they will not be able to hold for long… isolated on the other side of the Hackles, the Watchwolf Clan has some hard decisions about their stance in regards to the war and how they will continue to be involved. The calm in the civil war has been a welcome respite for most of the clans and settlements… but after Haygreth’s conquest of Stormjarl being such a success, his thirst for power and his quest to be rid of the colonists is not likely to be ended anytime soon. Now the warriors stationed on the borders of their territories wait, day by day, for when and where they will see the invaders strike next.
Delegates from the Clans have sent several messages, and it seems like the political front is going well. Clan Squallborn continues to remain aloof along with Clan Riverhead. Clan Shattered Spear, impressed with the soldiers of Vandregon and the Rangers of Crow’s Landing helping them with their bandit problem, have pledged their support to Clan Nightriver. Clan Steinjotten and Clan Goldenfield have been assisting Nightriver and solidifying their alliance. Clan Spiritclaw remains neutral in the war as does Clan Ironmound, but rumors have said that Ironmound will most likely choose a side soon. It is speculated that the leaders of Clan Ironmound fear becoming the new frontline if the Watchwolves fall, and may choose to join Grimward in their cause to avoid Clan Stormjarl’s fate. Clan Axhound has boasted that they will join the Alliance as long as they have allies that will join them on their raid against Clan Whiteoak who continues to support Grimward’s war. Clan Nightriver continues to support its allies, maintain its borders, and attempts to absorb the immense burden of housing thousands of Stormjarl refugees. More solidified lines are being drawn across the Ulven clans on the continent.
Strange reports continue to float around and rumors of a large mordok force still moving in the great forests of Mardrun. Ulven hunting parties have vanished and a call has been sent out by Clan Whiteoak and Clan Riverhead to form a war part from nearby Clans to seek out this threat and destroy it. With all of the alliances being drawn by the Clans, this course of action may be difficult.
In the colonies, Prince Aylin continues to expand New Aldoria at an alarming rate. His apparent wealth and thriving colony is collecting people and new settlers all the time. The Colony of Newhope is taxed to the brink caring for all of the sick and wounded Stormjarl refugees. The poltical power struggle between the Council of Ten appears to be on hold for now, but rumors say that it will begin anew and major changes will be coming in the future. Nobles whisper in hushed towns at meetings and gatherings as to who they believe is dealing with whom and what the outcome may be.

The Coalition army has been able to clear the pass and has connected with Ironmound forces to form a northern front along the southern border of Clan Ironmound’s lands. Grimward forces have responded with increased aggression along the entirety of the line. What had in the past been sporadic attacks by individual units, have become have become more complex and coordinated with the goal of forcing gaps in the line which are quickly taken advantage of by forces held in reserve.
Although the last of the Coalition carts in the pass was able to escape the bandit force and deliver its supplies through the aid of nearby adventurers, the combined leadership on the northern front recognize that their local stockpiles will be insufficient to last until snowfall. The local leadership have called on any who are able to provide help in procuring, transporting, and protecting supplies for this front.

Two warpacks from Clan Whiteoak have covertly landed on Clan Nightriver’s shores with the help of Squalborn ships. These warpacks have already burned a small fishing village but did not kill the inhabitants. Farmers in the vicinity have been overheard planning an early harvest, stating that it is better to reap the crop before it’s time then to risk it being burnt in the field. As of yet, there has been no plan on how to deal with coastal attacks by Clan Nightriver’s enemies.

With all of the commotion elsewhere in their territory, a frightening occurrence goes mostly overlooked within the confines of Clan Nightriver’s lands. The remains of a third Squallborn ship made ground, this one a few miles west of Crow’s Landing, bearing no survivors and many scars from a fierce battle. Those who investigated the wreckage related vicious lacerations, infected wounds, and scorch marks on both of the corpses found lashed upside down to the wreckage.

Daughters of Gaia from Clan Riverhead have drawn the ire of the leadership of Clan Goldenfield, stirring the fears of many farmers in the area. The Daughters claim that the blight which impeded Goldenfield’s harvest last month was retribution from Gaia herself, seeking to punish her children who had strayed from her path. Ever the gracious and loving mother, she would not be as cruel as to outright kill her children, but by limiting their food supply, she would remind them of their place. The Clanleader of Goldenfield has reassured Branthur that he has no intention of removing his clan from the alliance, despite what their neighbor’s Daughters may claim.

Reports of lone Mordok sightings have started to trickle in from clans bordering The Great Forest. None of these reports would be of interest separately as Mordok are not uncommon in the area. All of these reports mention that without fail each of the individuals are headed north with some haste. Some reports note that the Mordok have failed to attack even the unarmed.

Hope surges within Clan Stormjarl as an entire village is freed from the yoke of Grimward occupation. A handful of hunters working behind enemy lines and allies that landed on the shore to assist them were able to defeat the guards keeping the village under control as a work camp and escort them to safety. These villagers and warriors were transported along the coast to safety in Stormjarl villages who are already crowded, but willing to shoulder the burden to see some of their own returned to them. News reaches the villagers less than a week after they make landfall that the Grimward solders they left alive decided to burn the village rather than be forced to stand guard over empty houses and fields.

Following the release of many documents detailing the true history of the Ulven people, a joint effort between Clans Nightriver and Spiritclaw has been formed, seeking any information regarding the Lorespeakers. Rewards have been offered by both clans for information leading to the discovery of these traitors, with substantially larger rewards for their capture, assuming they are kept alive. A number of smaller packs, namely among Shattered Spear, have taken matters into their own hands, branding and severing any Lorespeakers they come across.

In the fervor to press for a swift and decisive victory over Clan Grimward in the Pass, the colony of Newhope’s clerks seem to have overlooked their current inventories. Afraid of the repercussions of the war front losing supplies, the colony has put out a call to the smaller settlements in the area, asking them to dig deep and send whatever can be spared for the war effort as the colony will soon need to address the issue of its dwindling storehouses. As the civil war increases in intensity, the need to feed and supply troops in the field could be one of the most critical points of this conflict.

After April’s slowdown in the war, May has turned into a waiting game of helping refugees, reinforcing Stormjarl with supplies, and basically just a bit of breathing room as factions and clans focus on the upcoming summer growing season. Day to day life takes over again, but everyone keeps an eye on the horizon for what comes up next. Settlements see to their villages, colonies to their people, and trade and merchants continue to flow.

Reports from the frontline trickle in saying that Grimward continues to camp outside of the battle line between them and Stormjarl. The conquered settlements are ransacked entirely, giving Grimward riches, supplies, food, weapons, and shipbuilding materials.

More reports of Mordok activity in the great forest reach different clans, and a large tribe of Mordok moved towards Onsallas where a large skirmish broke out. Between the defenders of the village and some of their allies camped nearby, the attack is barely repelled. Dozens upon dozens of Mordok hit and run the combined forces and then disappear back into the swamp… their true purpose unknown.

After the heroic sacrifice of Pack Longfang and the reinforcements arriving from the colonies, Clan Grimward’s conquest of Clan Stormjarl has ground to a halt. The survivors of Stormjarl and their allies have setup a defense in the remaining territory and settlement of Clan Stormjarl and the Grimward invaders have backed off and established an army camp several miles away from the settlement. News of Grimward sacking and pillaging everything in the outlying territory of Clan Stormjarl and taking hundreds of Stormjarl prisoners finds its way to the defenders, but without additional support there is little they can do. The stalwart defense of Clan Stormjarl and their allies has forced Haygreth to regroup his army and although there is no sign of them leaving the territory, some have spoken rumors that Haygreth Grimward and Graytir Stormjarl may be able to discuss terms of peace. Clan Stormjarl holds but its territories and the clan itself has been ravaged by the war with Grimward and some say the Clan will seek revenge on Grimward for generations to come. Clan Nightriver and the Colony of Newhope have offered to help with the sick, wounded and displaced Clan Stormjarl refugees, but after such a hard winter the toll of helping these people will be immense on their current resources.

In other parts of Mardrun, the mountain pass continues to be fortified by the Order of Arnath’s Fist and discussions continue to take place amongst the Clans. Some say that the Clanleaders are pushing for a Grand Moot or gathering to discuss matters influencing the Ulven as a whole. Clan Steinjutten, who has allied itself with Clan Nightriver, has reported that Clan Riverhead and Clan Shattered Spear have been dealing with an uncommonly large mordok tribe that moved into the Great Forests several months ago.

News regarding the war on all fronts spreads quickly through the major settlements of the Coalition, with the majority telling of great deeds in the Pass. Accompanied by several Nightriver warpacks, Coalition forces have managed to continually drive Grimward backwards. Although the Pass has not been taken, such a relentless assault will likely force Grimward to either abandon their position or divert additional resources away from the rest of the war to combat the problem. As allied troops continue their push through the Pass, the importance of pressing the advantage and breaking through is now even more obvious. Some fear that if the soldiers and warriors in the Pass cannot reach their Clan Ironmound and Clan Shattered Spear allies, it could drastically change the rest of the fighting. Soldiers need food and supplies each month, and stalling out the fighting could force the Coalition and its allies to use up more supplies than first anticipated. Grimward, now fully finished with conquering the Watchwolf territories, has begun its offensive in earnest against Clan Shattered Spear and Clan Ironmound. Small border skirmishes have been reported in numerous areas. While the continent focuses on the Pass and the battles near Ironmound, some worry about the other Grimward allies to the east; very little has been reported on the larger dealings of Clan Whiteoak and Clan Squallborn or what they have been up to.

The Market Fair, which recently took place in Crow’s Landing, also drummed up quite a few rumors. Through loose lips, a great deal of the continent now knows of the plan to formalize the Coalition, although feelings are mixed. Some see it as a great opportunity to bring the separate groups together for a single cause. Others see it as an affront to their freedoms or the first steps of a plan for dominance. Whatever the public opinion, the leaders of the Coalition are eager to see the draft of such a contract presented that they might make an informed decision moving forward. It is unknown at this time what the Coalition will formerly be as en entity, or what kind of power it will yield on the larger political scale.

A number of hawks from Clan Stormjarl arrive in the more prominent settlements of the Coalition, reminding their leaders that the offer of wealth in exchange for assistance in regaining their homeland and their honor from the clutches of Clan Grimward still stands. They insist that Ironmound has plenty of troops to hold their own lines, which they have not lost yet, whereas Stormjarl will require greater support to reclaim what was theirs. This message mirrors one from last year when Clan Stormjarl reached out offering wealth to those who would ally themselves with them.

Word from Clan Shattered Spear comes to Branthur Nightriver, informing him that relationships with Clan Riverhead have been strained as of late. Though they have avoided giving precise reasoning, Laifnar Icefury seems to be under the impression that the very traditional Priestesses of Clan Riverhead are beginning to grow weary of the presence of the colonists and are annoyed by Nightriver’s continued support of these outsiders. They have shown no indications of taking a side in the war, nor have they expressed any open hostility towards the coalition or their allies as a whole, but the reception of travelers and refugees has been much colder than it had been in the past and some reports have come through where tense situations and even violence has taken place between colonists and the local Clan Riverhead packs. This could become a large issue soon as the path around the Great Wolf’s Hackles back to Clan Nightriver territory travels directly through Clan Riverhead lands.

Panic sets in amongst the villagers of a small settlement of Clan Goldenfield. Their crop, which they had been preparing to harvest next month, has begun to wither and die, leading to starvation of their livestock and a strain to their workers. The source of this blight is unknown, but their Daughters are hard at work to cleanse the land. This will, unfortunately, result in fewer supplies available to the Coalition in the coming months unless a concentrated effort is made to assist them. The Clanleader has not yet reached out for aid, so it is unknown if the blight is small enough to be contained or if pride is getting in the way of the Clan’s leadership sending a call for aid.

Gustav Ironmound, Clanleader of Clan Ironmound, has made it known that after his Clan’s expedition into the dirge swamp, he has acquired a number of old Ulven texts that he intends to share with the other Clans. He has no intention of hiding these texts or keeping them from the Ulven people as a whole and apparently takes great pleasure in making sure it is known that representatives from his Clan had the honor of leading this expedition with the support of both sides of the war. Daughters, bearing copies of the texts, have begun traveling to numerous locations and freely share this information with others. Deep concern and confusion begins to set in with some of the Ulven people as the content of the texts is unsettling and questions many details of their history as a people. Whether this is a show of bravado and personal honor or a piece of some sort of larger plan is unknown at this time, but the impact of these texts being made public begins to travel like wildfire through the Ulven people.

The leadership of Lord Baron Richards has been surprisingly smooth. Under his command many troops and many more loads of supplies have been sent or promised to Nightriver and the warfront, an act which would have been horrifically time consuming in the bureaucratic old system. Many are optimistic for the city, hoping it will flourish under a single strong leader.

The new leader of Daven’s Reach has been visibly trying to extend his influence, a problem that many of the colonists and Ulven had hoped would be resolved by now but lack the resources to fix. Wanted posters have sprung up in many of the nearby settlements, although his agents have occasionally replaced these posters with their own mockeries, often depicting Lord Baron Richards or Prince Aylin as thieves instead. If whispers around the local taverns are any indication, his ideals may be gathering support, rallying others to his cause.

Letters from the new leadership of Clan Watchwolf have been delivered to Clan Nightriver, describing the treatment they have received at the hands of their Grimward conquerors: food has been distributed, families have not been uprooted and have been given time to grieve for their fallen before being enlisted by the Grimward war front. The end of the letter encourages Nightriver to reconsider their stance on the war, as life under Grimward rule has been better than it was during the war.

Clans Ironmound and Shattered Spear have vocally entered an agreement to protect each other’s borders should Grimward take their land during the fighting. This could be a huge step in solidifying the tenuous alliance with Clan Ironmound as it is the first true pledge to aid in the war, rather than simply withstand it.

Mordok activity near the edge of the Dirge Swamp was brutal again this month, with the creatures seemingly driven into a frenzy by something. These attacks on Clan Shattered Spear could prove costly and force them to redistribute forces away from the front lines. Clan Whiteoak also received their share of attention, drawing warriors away from their rivalry and allowing Clan Axhound the chance to perform a number of opportunistic raids.

Coalition reinforcements have been a large deterrent for Grimward aggression in the Pass, making their warpacks think twice about trying to take that territory and making them pay for every inch in blood. Well over a hundred well-rested warriors from Clan Nightriver have arrived at the Pass, accompanied by several dozen soldiers from both Newhope and New Aldoria and multiple wagons full of food, bandages, and weapons for the war effort, thanks in large part to campaigns executed by smaller factions giving and asking for aid in the war. The supplies alone have helped revitalize the troops stationed there, and the veritable army present could soon be a major issue for Clan Grimward.

Parts of Newhope were in an uproar late this month as Dominet Martingale hosted yet another elaborate party. As the chambers emptied, however, guards noticed that Martingale was nowhere to be found. Half the city was searched, much to the ire of many civilians until the man was eventually found passed out and hung over in a stable nearby.

Letters from Branthur Nightriver arrive at many notable locations among Coalition settlements. The letters issue a strongly worded reminder that many of the colonists are residing on his land and their honor is being called upon to make possibly the last push against Grimward. With Clan Ironmound on their side, Clan Nightriver has a strong chance to push into the heart of Grimward territory; though their enemy is expected to strike back viciously, so troops will be needed to secure the borders of Clans Shattered Spear, Stormjarl, and Ironmound.

Rumors have spread like wildfire of the recent expedition into the Dirge Swamp: despite the war, Ironmound, Grimward, and Coalition forces put aside their differences to reveal some secrets of the Ulven people. Many documents written in the old Ulven text were discovered on the trip, with the originals leaving with Grimward and translated copies finding their way into the hands of the Coalition. The true meaning of these documents has yet to be determined, and those in their possession have critical decisions ahead of them.

This letter was sent out to several Coalition and Clan Nightriver settlements.

To Clan Nightriver and the Colonists, to the Coalition of Allies on Mardrun,
We, the people of Clan Stormjarl, are reaching out to you for aid. In Clan Grimward’s conquest for war, they have given us no choice but to join them or face their wrath. My clan does not share in their views of destruction and death for the colonists and took a stand, that we would not join them and in return they march against us in war. My people will stand strong and protect our borders, but even now the reports of brutal fighting and death have reached me. Clan Whiteoak warriors have been seen alongside Clan Grimward’s war packs and they outnumber us. Even in the bitter cold of winter, their warriors press on and attack our villages and settlements. Brave Clan Stormjarl war packs march to battle but without support, I fear that we simply do not have the numbers to hold out against them.
I fear that Clan Grimward will use hawk-hunters and stop our future messages, so this may be the last message you receive until the spring.
I have heard reports of a coalition army of allies leaving the Yurnai River and marching north to help the Watchwolf Clan. Will warriors be sent to replace them, to assist us in our efforts?
Recently leaders of your factions sent us letters via hawk stating that you would send help, that you would rally with us against Clan Grimward, that words were being spoken to the other clans to join this war, that we do not fight this war alone.
I pray that your words bear truth. If they do not, my people may very well only survive this war in the sagas and stories of the Lorespeakers.
Signed,Graytir Stormjarl – Clanleader of Clan Stormjarl