Wiki Category: News & Rumors

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 Axehound 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.

Following the uproar caused outside the “Plague District” late last year, many of the refugees acted upon their displeasure with Newhope. Frigid and hungry, they made a show of leaving the settlement, seeking refuge within the walls of Starkhaven. As was expected, many of the corrupted who left Newhope did not survive the journey, succumbing to their illnesses, wounds, or the elements before reaching safety. The Keep, though faring better than in years past, has struggled to maintain peace and order with the massive influx of over a hundred new mouths to feed, paired with the ire drawn from those who see it as a slight against Newhope or an avoidable tragedy. Discontented whispers have begun referring to this pilgrimage as the “Path of Agony”, mockingly shortened to “the Path” as a play upon the tenets of Arnath, commonly referred to by the same name.

Diplomats wearing the blue and black of Clan Nightriver have been seen heading northward, approaching the Great Forest, entering Clan Riverhead territory on their way. Those they have interacted with have confirmed that the group is making their way to Clan Axehound, though their purpose there is rumored to be any number of things.

Clan Whiteoak has issued a public declaration, thanking those who have come to their aid. With this assistance, they have managed to reallocate their warriors and prevent the Mordok from taking any more ground. Though they are still struggling to stay alive and their ranks thin every day, a glimmer of hope for the future has emerged. The declaration continues to remind the people of Mardrun that the offer for payment still holds, should any form of aid be sent to help protect the clan, though food and supplies are most desperately needed at this point. There is rumor of a meeting taking place between Clan Ironmound and some allies and the leadership of Clan Whiteoak, but little is known.

Clan Riverhead has mobilized several warpacks to defend their roads, a move which took many other clans who were unaware of their situation by surprise. The few reports which have managed to reach the outside world seem to indicate that Clan Riverhead is seeing a substantial increase in Mordok raids over the last few weeks, with many reports of travelers along once-safe roads emerging beaten, bloody, and corrupted. Worse yet, an entire warpack seems to have disappeared into the Great Forest, and recent attacks have kept the clan from searching them out. The public release of this knowledge proves that the mordok presence in the Great Forest has grown considerably and is much more dangerous than it has been in the past.

Organized banditry reports have increased across Mardrun but mainly in the Clan Nightriver and colonial territories. The “vague territories” of several groups are perfect hiding places and breeding grounds for outlaws and vagabonds. Some of the attacks have become more daring or concentrated and some worry that a crime boss may have begun to orchestrate these attacks. Initially fingers were pointed to Daven’s Reach, but reports say that the settlement has been dealing with rooting out several murders in their settlement along with a calm but persistent struggle for power within. It is hard to speculate at this time who could be involved.

As reports come in regarding the daring expeditions to head into the Dirge Swamp during the winter, one thing is for certain; mordok activity in the swamp remains active despite the cold and smaller expeditions may not be enough to make the final venture to get through to the other side. Nobody knows for sure what this means for the momentum of the Marquess and her campaign to fund or further expeditions but one of the caravans sent into the swamp returned with startling news that is spreading quickly. The swamp, already home to foul corruption magic, has inside its borders some sort of area that is heavily influencing the mana stream. Mages have reported that mana in the area was much harder to recover. The scholars under the employ of Celestial Arragones have had a conference on these findings. Syndar mages have reported that this phenomenon seems consistent with their ongoing study of the Siphoning and its effects on the decline of the mana stream. Brushed off as conspiracy theories of obsessed mages, there may be more to this and rumor has it that anyone with knowledge or notes regarding the Siphoning or similar effects may stand to make a profit for contributing to their research.

Despite the recent debacle involving the exodus of refugees to Starkhaven, all that most people seem to be able to talk about is the upcoming dinner discussing the future of Newhope and their legacy on Mardrun. Rumors abound discussing the possible topics. More than that, however, is the attendance of the meeting: if some loose-lipped aides and thirsty connections are to be believed, at least one of the nobles from the Council of Ten has taken a very personal approach to this matter, potentially to the point of representing themselves, rather than having a lesser noble do the legwork for them. With the exception of Baroness Catherine in recent years, such an act would be nigh unheard of in such an open forum, and would assuredly lend more weight to their cause, but could also put them at very serious risk should negotiations turn sour. Only time will tell how accurate these tales truly are, however.