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The sudden reemergence of Mordok activity near the Great Forest has long heralded the coming of spring to the Ulven people, a sign that the air has begun to warm itself as the snow begins to recede. Warpacks are traditionally organized to help patrol major routes between settlements, armed and ready for combat against their ancestral foe. Their presence alone is often enough to deter all but the most zealous of the beasts, who instead choose to pick off the occasional lone hunter or wandering merchant. The battered bodies, shredded armor, and gruesome tales told by an increasing number of warriors from Clans Shattered Spear and Ironmound, however, paint a different picture, one of organized attacks on heavily armed warpacks, far from the normal character of the Mordok. Numerous versions of each story have sprung into existence over the past few weeks, each more fantastical than the last. Local chieftains have done their best to dispel or silence these accounts, touting them as the fanciful tales spun by wound-weary minds, though the seeds of fear have been sewn.

Word of the new corruption and highly-coordinated Mordok attacks have spread throughout the continent, stirring up fears among many and a sense of duty in others. These alarming new developments have many eyes turned to the larger clans, who are scrambling to calm the rising concerns and contain the threat. Others have taken a more desperate stance on the matter, allowing their fear to guide their actions. Production in some areas of Clan Ironmound has slowed to a trickle as workers either fall to the Mordok or leave their posts to return home and protect their families. Many in Clan Riverhead have taken to blaming the corruption on Clan Ironmound, believing it to be divine retribution from Gaia for their generations of desecration through their mines and profiteering. Clan Axhound, on the other hand, has taken perhaps the most drastic action: an entire village has been evacuated and refilled by those afflicted with corruption, tended to by woefully understaffed healers and herbalists. Warpacks patrol this village, claiming to be watching for Mordok to protect the inhabitants, although many have started to whisper that the warriors are there instead to enforce the quarantine through any means necessary.

Reports from numerous Truthseekers of Clan Spiritclaw have emerged, detailing the eruption of a number of new corruption sites inside the Great Forest. They are calling for action and allies, doing their best to keep this vile plague at bay, but know that their efforts could very well be quickly overwhelmed if there is not a concentrated effort to eradicate these hubs of corruption.

Trouble begins to brew in Nightriver territory as protests break out in a handful of small settlements. Though they have yet to devolve into full riots, the honor-bound Whiteoak and Grimward populations are demanding action after a disproportionate number of their groups seem to be disappearing in these Mordok raids. Branthur has reassured them that once the threat is subdued and the resources are available, he will fund an investigation into the matter, but many feel he is trying to cover something up, spreading stories of the strange movement of the Mordok attacking their villages; they show an intelligence, posture, and coordination out of character with their usual nature during these nighttime raids.

Amidst this chaos, Marquess Madeline d’Argent of Newhope has revealed that she is in the process of planning an expedition into the Dirge Swamp, possibly to take place sometime this year. She has made it clear that the trips made in the past, while vital for research and historical purposes, were woefully underfunded, understaffed, and under-equipped. In the coming months she has invited factions and individuals interested in pursuing this lead to donate their time, silver, supplies, and voice to the expedition, hoping to push through the swamp for the first time in recorded history.

Despite the turmoil facing the rest of the continent, Prince Aylin has continued to instead push for more allies to commit to his contract, though the details of which have remained elusive at best. His secrecy and timing in this matter have drawn the ire and the denunciation of Lord Baron Richards, who has criticized the prince for being opportunistic and selfish in the face of the hardships facing the continent, requiring unification on all sides, rather than political maneuvering. References to Aylin’s father have been made, as well as connections drawn to The Fall of Faedrun, much to the infuriation of the Prince and his subjects. Still, he has remained silent about the details of the contract, simply noting the wealth and glory that will come to those who sign on. He has shown no signs of going back on his word to reveal the contract at the beginning of April.

As reparations begin to filter through to smaller settlements around the continent, with them comes either praise or criticism for Branthur Nightriver and his handling of the situation. Many of the smaller clans, such as Steinjottun and Goldenfield, have been very vocal about their support of the treaty, eager to see an end to the fighting. The reparations doled out to their citizens reinforce these thoughts, rewarding and recompensing them for resources and lives lost in the war. Rebuilding projects begin in full nearly as soon as the supplies arrive, with the looming threat of Grimward conquest all but extinguished by the decisive treaty championed by Branthur. The more neutral Clans of Riverhead and Spiritclaw have yet to sign the treaty but have not voiced that they will not do so; it is unknown what their decision will be.

Others are far less pleased with the treaty, and no less vocal about their opinions. Although the representative of Axhound agreed to the treaty and their Clan will do well with the reparations given to them, the treaty does in fact mean that they lose some of their land to Clan Whiteoak. This aspect has not been seen favorably by some of the Axhound Chieftains and rumor has it that their Clanleader is having a hard time keeping them in check. Clan Stormjarl has continued their tirade against the document they feel has taken too much from them. New Aldoria, expressing their solidarity with this hard-won ally, has also refused to sign the treaty. Word has begun to circulate of these groups being refused their reparations for their defiance. While such an action could lead to a schism that costs Clan Nightriver two of their most substantial allies in the future, only time will tell what the full consequences of the treaty will be and if further meetings and negotiations will help between the leaders of the various Clans.

Clan Ironmound had been a temperamental ally during the war, and their sentiment seems to remain split in times of peace. Many see the aid given by the Coalition as a sign of a change in heart by the colonists. Together they stood and held back the tide of Grimward and Whiteoak warriors and brought the fighting on Mardrun to an end. Others, however, recall the announcement that their clan had joined the Coalition in a whirlwind of political faux pas and a great deal of misunderstandings, rather than remaining neutral in the war as they had originally hoped. Regardless of their feelings towards the Coalition and Clan Grimward, there are few in Clan Ironmound not excited to see the influx of supplies from the reparations. They are calling for allies to join them in rebuilding their homes and defenses as a way to prove to the unconvinced that the alliance they so hastily joined was more than a knee-jerk reaction to Grimward aggression, even if rumors abound about Ironmound already working deals with Clans involved in both sides of the war.

On the other side of the war, all is not well among the alliance responsible for much of the aggression. While Clans Grimward and Whiteoak had been present at the drafting of the treaty and made a show of signing it to end the fighting and conserve that which they had taken thus far, their smaller ally, Clan Squallborn, has also publicly denounced the document. Their small size and isolated location hampered their ability to take new territory during the attacks, and the reparations demanded by the treaty would affect them proportionately harder than either Clan Grimward or Whiteoak. Feeling the treaty unfairly targeted them, rather than the driving force behind the war, Clan Squallborn has refused to sign.

With much of their territory now owned by Clan Grimward, Clan Watchwolf’s people are now openly divided about their future. The eastern Watchwolves are still upset of the conquest and want their people back and the western Watchwolves have seemed to embraced their conquerors, faring better now than they have in a long time. This detail alone has caused more than a few people to wonder if Grimward’s conquest was actually so focused on bloodshed and slaughter, which is what it was so vividly painted as to many people.

Hushed talk among patrons at local taverns detail an incident that took place last month between various factions/adventurers and some soldiers from Daven’s Reach. Rumors vary quite a bit as to exactly what happened, but word has it that Percival, the current leader of Daven’s Reach, has decided not to retaliate against anyone over this incident and has instead punished or banished those responsible. The combined efforts of several different groups appears to have swayed his decision to shape up some of his unruly men, a small victory for those involved in the incident, and a solid step towards the Reach being viewed as a legitimate settlement.

To usher in the new year, the colony of Newhope has opened their doors to Clan Nightriver and members of the Coalition. Representatives will venture into the Raven’s District of the city in the month of February to make their case before a Clan Nightriver representative to receive their share of reparations from Clan Grimward. The possibility of many movers and shakers present will be substantial, giving those also in attendance a chance to rub elbows with people they may otherwise never meet. There is also rumor that leaders and members of the current “Coalition” will be meeting to discuss the future of this group.

Clan Stormjarl has been adamantly vocal about their attitude toward this treaty, decrying it as dishonorable and insulting. Clanleader Graytir Stormjarl, much to the ire of Branthur, has sent out letters inviting members of the Coalition to stand with him in defying the document, retaking their homelands and seeking vengeance on Clan Grimward for the war crimes they committed. It seems that Clan Stormjarl has no intention to back down from the injustice they were dealt by Clan Grimward and rumors spread about mercenaries and warriors finding work in the future with the Clan.

Not to be outdone, Prince Aylin of New Aldoria has also dispatched a number of hawks bearing a much more cryptic message. Any who are interested in his employment are invited to contact him via hawk or courier before the spring to discuss terms, though he has made no real indication of his intentions at this point. Talk runs wild with speculation… is New Aldoria invading the colony of Newhope? Is there a new construction project planned? Is New Aldoria sending troops to fight somewhere? Are the Marines of New Aldoria leading a voyage back to Faedrun? Nobody seems to know for certain at this time.

Rumors have filtered through taverns and street corners of a dispute beginning to boil over between Baroness Catherine and the Marquess Madeline d’Argent. The recent surge of activity from Daven’s Reach has prompted the Baroness to once again push to retake the trade hub once in her possession. The Marquess, though her influence has been reduced following the election of Lord Baron Richards, still holds a great deal of power over the Newhope military, but refuses to devote the troops to such a personal campaign. The Lord Baron Richards seems to have no priority placed on retaking Daven’s Reach; some view this as a further insult to the Lord Baron’s previously biggest rival.

Worry seems to grip a number of merchants that travel freely through the territories of Mardrun. The recent civil war forced numerous clans and colonies to use up a lot of supplies and food or focus attention away from the farms and fields during prime harvest time. Reports of settlements faring poorly and scraping by or not having the coin and trade they used to seems commonplace in the trading posts and markets around the continent. Clan Nightriver is even rumored to be on the verge of a food crisis; the recent arrival of honor bound villagers and warriors as payment from Clan Grimward further putting a strain on already taxed food stores. While the fight is over, the residual consequences of the costs of this civil war appear to be gripping numerous colonies and Clans.

While the southern end of Mardrun enjoyed a rather quiet month with little going on of note, the northern end of the continent was filled with activity and most of it revolving around the Mordok. With Clan Riverhead territory now fully occupied by Mordok forces, many clans have started to stockpile resources, train warriors and units, and seek to guidance from the Daughters on what they should do next. Many are told to prepare, others are told to try and change the tide, others even recommend taking the fight to the Mordok. But one thing is certain, the Ulven in the northern clans are working overtime to prepare for both winter and the oncoming storm they fear, or even desire.

At the market fair, Wargah Grimward, daughter of the Clanleader of Clan Grimward came to seek the reason as to why the honorbound citizens to Clan Nightriver have been disappearing. If her claims are to be believed, this action has continued for some time and Grimward’s efforts to locate them have gone unanswered and unaided. She wasn’t the only representative seen in Nightriver territory or in the colonies. Representatives were seen entering Clan Nightriver lands with grim looks upon their faces, and asking all those they came across for information relating to this issue. There were few who could give answers, and even more who didn’t know that the honor bound Ulven have been missing.

On a related note, it seems that Holmar Bloodmoon has gained a substantial following of supporters from both within Clan Nightriver and those from outside. Holmar was seen welcoming the Grimward representatives into his home, offering them whatever aid he could provide to help them find their missing clan members. Some are saying this was a bold move for Holmar, who is not a Clan Leader, but also see it as taking initiative on an issue that been seemingly pushed aside by Branthur Nightriver since it was brought to his attention.

Word from Clan Ironmound is that of industry and war, for the entire clan is now preparing for what seems to be the end of days. Smithies work around the clock, mines are working in overtime to provide ore, trainers are working tirelessly to train new and old warriors alike. To top all of this, Gustav Ironmound gave a speech to his pack leaders. He asked they work together, fight smart, and seek and spread the word that the clans need to unite now more than ever, or the Mordok will win in whatever sick plan they have schemed for the Ulven people.

Doom and gloom are not the only feelings to be found in the northern side of Mardrun though. Aylin’s Reach had a sudden increase of colonist’s coming from the main colony in New Aldoria. With the sudden burst of citizens, many are wondering what is going on to cause it. Some say the Prince secretly started a campaign to migrate all his citizens to the newly acquired land. Others suggest that maybe New Hope is taxing the citizens of New Aldoria colony too much. Whatever the reason may be, the expansion of Aylin’s Reach settlement seems to be booming with activity and expansion.

Clan Riverhead has finally fallen to the endless waves of Mordok invaders and the result sends shock waves throughout communities. Many Clans who have been so quiet now start to fear for their livelihoods and wonder “Are we next?” Many clans in the north seem to be sharing these exact same thoughts as they begin to change pace and directions almost all at once due to the fall of Clan Riverhead.

Clan Stormjarl was noted to have increased their labors to shore up and build on their new settlements around Aylin’s Reach. The lands on the Isle of Fire works harder at gathering food and stores for a possible oncoming storm, Clan Stormjarl lands to the south prepare and make plans on how to help their lands in Aylin’s Reach, and Aylin’s Reach lands build with fervor. Many are working longer and harder days, and even nights, to secure themselves for a possible attack from either Clan Squalborn or the new threat in the Great Forest.

Clan Axehound, long time bitter rivals of Clan Whiteoak, have been seen pulling back their forces from raiding. It seems to be part of multiple reasons, such as Clan Nightriver applying political pressure on the small northern clan to lay off attacking, but the largest reason seems to be the fact that Clan Axehound is now the smallest clan on Mardrun. It also is located next to the now largest threat on the continent, The Great Forest, a place now overflowing with Mordok. Pack Leaders from the clan begin to take action to weather the inevitable wave of Mordok, while Daughters of Gaia work diligently to seek guidance from Gaia and the Great Wolf on what to do next for their clan.

Due to the retreat of Clan Axehound forces and the Mordok focusing on claiming Clan Riverhead, Clan Whiteoak gains a momentary reprieve. Many packs hold almost endless funeral pyres across the lands, speckling the landscape with fires for their beloved, their brave, and their fallen. Along with their morning, the clan also works diligently to recover precious resources that were spent in the defense of their lands on two fronts. Labor Caste, Smithing Caste, Hunter Caste members are worked to the bone to try and meet the demands set by their leaders.

While the Mordok ravaged Riverhead lands, there were those who stepped up to accept the incoming refugees. Clan Shattered Spear and Clan Goldenfield were some of the main clans that stepped up in helping these folks find a new foothold in their devastated life, along with sending aid to the Clan in its time of need. While many from Clan Riverhead are thankful their host’s hospitality and attention to helping their people find a new life, however it is rare that they show it. Due to their lives in almost near isolation, Clan Riverhead refugees seem to be clumping together and are socially awkward in their new homes, often forming small camps and villages near areas of water a little bit away from their hosts settlements.

As the invasion comes to an end, Mordok activity seems to take a brief pause from the usual aggressive stance. They seem to be keen on defending the lands they have gained, yet do not pursue invaders and attackers unless necessary. While many are thankful for this brief moment, many are wondering what they are doing in the areas Mordok have claimed as their own.

The colonies have been somewhat uneventful this month, mostly focusing on recovering costs and refilling their coffers from the Great Works, which is needed in order to continue. During this time, many in the Council of Ten spend their now available free time chasing their own ambitions once more. However, the destruction of an entire clan has some nobility worried that the Mordok threat could be a real one, while many others feel that this will fade with the coming of winter as per the usual. What is for sure, is that the colonies of New Hope seem to feel that the events that have transpired in the northern areas of the continent seem to be far off and remote.

In a joint effort between Clans Shattered Spear and Grimward, a handful of small outposts and watchtowers are constructed to the north along the edge of the Dirge Swamp. Fighting for every inch of land, these footholds are seen by many as far more than defensive structures: they are a symbol of Ulven strength and resilience when clans can band together. Even so, the outposts will prove to be a major boon to defensive efforts to the north, and instrumental in cutting off Mordok reinforcements to the south if they are properly manned.

These outposts will do nothing for Clan Riverhead, however. After months of fighting a losing battle, their lines have finally broken. Calling for a full retreat from their territory, the Clanleader and High Priestess have been searching for allies to offer them refuge until they can retake their lands. They expect many of their warriors to fall while protecting their civilians, but believe that this option will cause the fewest deaths and allow Clan Riverhead to live on in more than stories.

Clan Grimward has been creating a political commotion recently, fueled by the continued disappearances of their honor bound citizens from Nightriver territory. While Clan Nightriver claims to be looking into the matter, Clan Grimward remains unconvinced and is bringing the issue forward to force Nightriver’s hand. In an effort led by Wargah Grimward, a small warpack has been travelling from settlement to settlement across Mardrun, drumming up support for their investigation. Despite the pushback from Clan Nightriver and many of their allies, two members of the Council of Ten have come forth to offer what resources they can: Lictor Mary cul Tricuspis and Duke Joakim Ventrini.

This charge of incompetence has continued to stir the pot of unrest in Clan Nightriver, adding fuel to the ever-growing fire that is Holmar Bloodmoon and his supporters. Initially upset my Branthur’s handling of the treaty with Clan Grimward, they gained a massive surge of support when the Clanleader sold off a large portion of their territory to the colonists. Now it seems they have found yet another foothold from which to erode at Branthur’s authority. They still cling to their message as they spread their beliefs: Branthur was a great leader, but his time has come and gone. He is an honorable man, but is no longer suited to lead the clan.

On a brighter note, the celebration in Aylin’s Reach seemed to only strengthen the bond between the New Aldorians and Clan Stormjarl. Though raiders from Clan Squallborn kept the revelers on their toes and nature itself seemed to rebel against the celebration, the mood could not be dampened as the sound of games and tournaments split the air from dawn until dusk. Reports did filter through a number of settlements of strange dreams and anomalies with the mana stream early in the month, they stopped suddenly one Saturday night late in the month. Rumors have flown about the true nature of these reports, though very little information has trickled down to the rank and file of New Aldoria thus far.

Mordok pressure on Clan Riverhead has begun to reach a breaking point. Already the creatures have pressed through and nearly separated the clan’s territory in half. Allies from across Mardrun have sent troops to push back the Mordok, but they are at best only slowing the assault. Calls from Clan Ironmound have echoed across the continent, desperately calling for unity in the face of these unprecedented attacks. To the south, however, old wounds fester and sting as Clans Whiteoak and Axhound continue their attacks on each other, neither willing to commit troops to the Mordok if the other does not do so first. Other clans, inspired by Clan Grimward, are focusing the bulk of their efforts inward, reinforcing their own defenses before reaching out to their allies with too great a commitment. Whatever their motivations, Clan Riverhead will be hard pressed to survive this attack without more aid in the very near future.

Further to the south, a great commotion erupted around the settlement of Daven’s Reach. Now once again in Newhope lands, the City-state declared an effort to retake the town by any means necessary, and called for allies to share in the glory and spoils of this feat. Led by Baroness Katherine herself, the troops of Newhope marched side-by-side with their allies against the keep. In a show of great mercy, these forces scraped together a sizable sum of silver to repay the honest workers who had lived in the Reach for the improvements they had made and they agreed to stand aside and let the attackers clean out the less repentant. Many lives were saved by the gesture, though the battle that commenced was bloody nonetheless. Arrows and rocks fell from the ramparts as the attackers crashed their wooden ram against the gate for what seemed like hours. At long last the gate fell, and shortly thereafter, so did the defenders. Those that could barricaded themselves in buildings throughout the Reach, which would have forced a longer, bloodier conflict if the attackers had pressed. They were soon replaced, however, by the fresh troops who had called Daven’s Reach home, who had stood down before the fighting began. By the rising of the sun, Daven’s Reach was once again in the hands of Baroness Katherine.

Spurred on by the recent deal to part with a large portion of Nightriver territory, the name and cause of Holmar Bloodmoon have both been spoken of in more blunt terms. Some call this a fearful act with the human population growing too large to safely control should their demeanor change. Others mention the leverage over such a large population that is now forfeit, pointing to the City-state’s focus on their Great Work rather than pushing back the Mordok. Most of the population, however, confident in Branthur’s decision, argue that this was the honorable choice: the humans and Syndar have fought beside the Ulven for long enough and shown their tenacity. They have earned this land.

Led by a group of adventurers near the Dirge Swamp, a Newhope official was sent to Shattered Spear territory to oversee the reconstruction of a ruined outpost along the swamp’s border. Foregoing the farmstead with which the corruption-curing reagents could possibly be harvested, the workers decided to build a defensive outpost to help stem the tide of Mordok flowing through to the south. Though the day was eventful, the outpost was eventually completed and the Mordok in the area driven off enough to allow the structure to begin operating in full swing.

Newhope is proud to declare that the first round of improvements to their infrastructure has been completed. The great highway stretching from Starkhaven to Crow’s Landing is now operational, allowing much faster and easier travel along its length. Patrols of guards stationed at small posts keep the road relatively bandit-free. The next task of the Great Work, rumored to be a massive trade network, will be put on hold until the fall, as such a task would drain the coffers of Newhope and raise taxes substantially.

Less proud of their discovery, Clan Nightriver continues to struggle with the disappearance of Grimward honor-bound workers. Three more have been reported this month, two of which were in the last week alone. The patience of Clan Grimward is beginning to wear thin on this matter, and it has been rumored that high-ranking representatives for the clan have spent an inordinate amount of time in Nightriver territory. The task has been delegated to Wargah Grimward, Daughter of the Clanleader. She has put out notices asking for any information that might help solve this atrocity.

Silver begins to flow through Newhope as merchants and laborers grow excited about the Great Highway. Patrols of Newhope guards have kept the roads relatively safe while hamlets and roadside inns spring up like weeds to tend to the needs of weary travelers. As the project progresses, however, it seems that the nobles who did not endorse it have not given up on their own prospects: Celestial Arragones continues to push for support to return to Faedrun just as Marquess Madeline d’Argent garners resources for another Dirge Swamp expedition.

Most notable is Baroness Catherine, who has been reaching out to various groups, eager to use Newhope’s new authority to reclaim Daven’s Reach from the bandits and thugs who now inhabit it. This has caused no small amount of discourse among the people of Newhope and of Mardrun: Do the current inhabitants of the Reach have the right to be there? They took the land by force but many have made a point to make a legitimate living since that time. Is the zeal shown by the Baroness justified in taking back what is legally her property? The nobility of Newhope is questionable about the precedence set by the Baroness’ actions one way or another: Marching upon subjected lands with military units could paint Newhope as tyrannical to those less concerned with the letter of the law, although allowing the squatters to remain on her property could lead to issues down the road if organized bandit groups were to get the idea that such an act is acceptable. Either way, the Baroness has announced that she will offer silver to any who help her successfully retake her property, with a portion of the spoils of conquest to be divided amongst those who help as well.

Thanks in large part to the combined efforts of Clans Shattered Spear and Goldenfield in addition to the warriors of Pack Longfang, the Riverhead militia were able to hold back the massive Mordok assaults deep into their homes long enough to evacuate most of the clan’s refugees. The tide of the battles began to turn soon after, however, as the Mordok descended again with greater fervor than previously seen and pushed the defenders back. They continue to call for aid from their allies to the south, hoping to stand firm against the Mordok before their homes are destroyed.

Clan Riverhead is not alone in facing increased aggression from the Mordok: Clan Grimward has noted a shocking number of attacks coming from the Great Wolf’s Hackles. The leadership of the clan remains unsure as to how such large numbers of Mordok were able to move so far south undetected, though the true priority now is organizing an effective defense. This means that many of the Grimward warpacks in Shattered Spear territory have been called home to defend their families instead.

Clan Whiteoak saw a small glimmer of hope this month. Though they have been fighting battles on two fronts, the aid sent from various allies and neighbors has allowed them to focus their own resources on pushing back against the Mordok and for the first time in months, they did not lose ground. Though their situation is still dire, it would seem that if current trends continue, Clan Whiteoak will survive to see the summer, though the unpredictable string of attacks on various clans do not leave much room for optimism.

Finally, Clan Shattered Spear has announced that they have had a great deal of luck pushing the Mordok back along their border, though the fight is not over yet. More than ever they are focusing their efforts on fighting the expansion of the swamp, a phenomenon that has been documented over the last several months. They are asking for help in this endeavor, preferably in the form of casters able to research and fight the corruption or warriors to prevent the Mordok from pressing in any further.

Town Hall meetings are scheduled and filled across Newhope, each drawing representatives from every member of the Council of Ten and other invested parties. It is no secret that they hope to determine the direction of Newhope’s new project, dubbed the city’s “Great Work” to celebrate their purchase of territory from Clan Nightriver. While surely a joyous moment for Newhope, other settlements whose land was purchased as a part of this deal, including New Aldoria, Starkhaven, and Daven’s Reach, are less than thrilled with the arrangement. After a great deal of discussion, debate, and argument, it seems the Lord Baron Richards has been swayed to direct the efforts of the officially dubbed city-state of Newhope towards the expansion and improvement of the infrastructure of the territory. Plans for new farmsteads and mills are drafted and laborers are contracted to work on a great highway stretching from Starkhaven to Crow’s Landing, linking each settlement in between. Small hamlets begin to pop up along this planned road, both to act as rest points for travelers and to capitalize on the economic boon such a route will doubtlessly provide.

As if on cue, merchants travelling through the territory of the new city-state have reported a noticeable increase in banditry. It seems the scoundrels are also eager to hear of the project and have already begun harassing the main roadways. For the time being, guards recommend using extreme caution while travelling between settlements.

Following the announcement, there is a surprising lack of response from Prince Aylin and New Aldoria. Representatives for the Prince attended each of the meetings, and reports from others have been compiled and presented. Though sources close to him revealed that the Prince was livid with these actions, he has made no public declaration of his intentions moving forward. This silence has created a vacuum in which rumors abound: some say the Prince has accepted the ruling and is now a subject of Newhope, some believe he established a deal with Lord Baron Richards to benefit himself, while others claim to have seen him mustering an army. One man has even been drunkenly theorizing that the Prince himself was behind the purchase, working behind the scenes to orchestrate these events. For now, though, there has been nothing to confirm nor refute any of these claims.

Elsewhere in colonist lands, word of Starkhaven’s struggle has spread. Shouldering the burden of nearly two hundred refugees, it has become clear that the fortress is not staffed nor stocked to handle so many sick residents. Worse, whispers of the corruption beginning to spread as the afflicted fall to their curse are heard, though are often discredited by the faithful. Blue and green flags carried beside carts flying red, gold, and black banners were sighted approaching the keep several weeks ago, and merchants from New Aldoria have confirmed that the wagons were carrying food and blankets to comfort the sick and ease the burden of Starkhaven. Unfortunately, reports from inside Starkhaven suggest that these greatly appreciated supplies will still not be enough to sustain the refugees for long. The Order of Arnath continues to put out requests for groups to send more aid, hoping to make progress against the corruption rather than simply holding it at bay.

Clan Whiteoak has announced that they have begun to stabilize their current situation, with a handful of reinforcements from the colonists allowing them to divert more forces northward and to hold the line against the Mordok. Though they have not been winning any decisive battles, hope has begun to work its way back into the hearts of Clan Whiteoak. Another call for aid goes out, hoping to begin to make a push against the Mordok who seem to never tire or dwindle in number even as the Whiteoak stores continue to run low. Clan Ironmound has called a moot among their leadership to determine whether to send aid to Whiteoak or not, and it seems that other groups will soon be following suit.

After watching the events around them unfold and putting out several fires (both literal and metaphorical) in their own territory, Clan Ironmound calls out for Mardrun to send aid north to fight against the Mordok. Though their resources are limited now, Clanleader Gustav has offered to give what help they can in the form of arms, armor, and warriors, but their contributions alone will far from enough to press the Mordok back.

On the other side of the Great Forest, however, the news is far less joyous. Clan Riverhead reports a drastic increase in the number of Mordok raids across their settlements, with Daughters of Gaia disappearing and warriors being captured and returned reeking of corruption. Warleader Brynjar Riverhead reluctantly admits that should Clan Riverhead face the same assault weathered by Clan Whiteoak, they will likely be exterminated quickly. Though the attacks thus far have not been a concentrated effort, the trends of Mordok movement in recent weeks makes the clan nervous about such a possibility, and they hope that they might see the same aid as Clan Whiteoak. Scouts and hunters have reported sightings of large groups of Mordok amassing in the Great Forest, seemingly preparing for a large scale attack on Clan Riverhead. Though some settlements are confident in the strength of their warriors and their walls, others have begun the evacuation process, hoping to get civilians to safety before things take a turn for the worse.