Wiki Category: News & Rumors

The world has finally thawed from the grips of spring and have started to enter the green of summer. With it, comes the waves of activity that erupt from the people who have been so tired of being cooped up.

With the murders in Newhope over the past few months and the body count now in the twenties, a man hunt is on the way to find the unknown killer. However, as soon as the murders had started they had just as suddenly stopped. Nobody has heard of an unusual death the entire month, and many begin to worry if the killer is waiting to strike again once they feel the opportunity is right.

Clan Nightriver and Clan Goldenfield begin a herculean task of creating a series of interlinking roads for their clans to create easier tradeways between and through their territories. Worker’s begin at the Pass and under armed guard as they surely but slowly proceed deeper into the lands. Other than some minor attempts by bandits from the mountains, the month goes by without a hitch in Nightriver territory. In Goldenfield the workers are able to work with less stress and with higher productivity as they begin from one of their preexisting roads and branching out to reach other villages and towns which are spots for potential trade hubs. 

Bandits activity is beginning with the release of the cold, threatening the trade routes. What is noted by multiple merchant guilds, companies, and organizations is the heavy presence of bandits in the Riverhead lands. Multiple companies and armed guards have either left the area with multiple arrows in their carts or themselves, or have been turned back due to the high activity. It seems that these ‘unclaimed’ lands are becoming a new frontier, and it is being controlled by bandits and thieves.

The pressure in the north along the Shield, specifically in Clan Whiteoak have had their numbers pressed over the past two months, with the aid of many volunteers and brave warriors they were able to repel the waves from the abyss known as the Dirge. However, those at the outposts continue to worry about what awaits them with the warmer weather and how they will handle the next wave. Reports indicate that they are starting to wear down and supplies are starting to wane from the last shipments. There is good news though, Clan Steinjottun and Clan Axehound are sending reinforcements along with wagons of supplies to help bring aid and reinforce the defensive line. 

The devastation of Clan Ironmound is slowly starting to reverse as volunteers and donations start to trickle in. Some groups are even sending groups to help with both supply dispersal and physical labor in helping rebuild. While it wasn’t as much as the prideful clan would have wanted, it is plain to see that Clan Ironmound is grateful for the help that they are receiving in their troubled time. However, there is still months of work ahead of recovering and rebuilding the villages along the affected mountains.

With the coming and passing of April, spring begins to fight back against the clutches of winter as the continent begins to stir from the long freeze.

The lands of Clans Nightriver and Clan Goldenfield have been busy this past month. Many laborers have been hard at work clearing trails and roads of brush and stone to make way for improved roads. While they have only recently started this venture, both clans hope to create a series of main roads to help expedite trade caravans and allow for greater ease for those guarding them as they travel along these new roads.

The guards of Newhope are baffled by the recent string of killings occurring in the outlying villages. These individuals and families seemed to have been butchered in their own homes, either sleeping or at the dinner table. The City Guard of Newhope continues their hunt for this mysterious mass murderer which plagues the common folk.

Fisherfolk from Clan Stormjarl report of a monstrous shark spotted while diving for clams and fishing further out. While large creatures like sharks are not unheard of off the coast, what made this shark different from the others was that it was easily around twenty feet long at only a glance. While the divers and fisherfolk were able to get some distance from the beast, it was still a close call. One diver noted the large amount of scars on its snout across its body, even mentioning a broken harpoon in its flank.

To the north in the Great Wolf’s Forest, some Clan Axehound lumberjacks were hard at work when they found what appeared to be a small shrine or totem inside a small grove. While the grove didn’t look recently inhabited, the totem did look as if it was built within the last year. When one of the lumberjacks touched it however, he screamed in agony and fell to the ground. When he was brought before a Daughter of Gaia, it was later revealed the individual had contracted Creeping Corruption.

Spring has finally arrived and the land begins to show signs of life returning to the once frozen wastelands.

The grizzly murders that have been plaguing the colonies of Newhope continue on, with the guards continually baffled by how these atrocities happen beneath their noses. The citizens continue to worry, barricade, and  arm themselves to what seems to be no avail as the number of victims continue to grow.

In the streets of Newhope rumors tell of Lictor Mary cul Tricuspis becoming increasingly frustrated. The common folk whisper of her working on some secret project with her secret police and spies, trying to find information on some important matter or another. However, it can be seen upon her face that her progress in those matters are providing no fruit and getting her nowhere.

In Daven’s Hold, Governess Cathrine is proud to announce the opening of one of her more ambitious construction projects with the coming of the spring thaw. With the roads opening back up, the brand new and well built market district. This new district comes with the new roads and holds throughout the territory that create a hub of trade activity from all over Mardrun. Some say this district was to slight those that may have betrayed her trust, but others state it is a power move to claim more economic prowess for the people of Daven’s Hold, and for the Council of Three.

Outside the city of Newhope, Duke Martingale of Westhaven has finished his fighting pits in time for the coming of warmer weather. Surrounding them, market stalls, taverns, inns, gambling dens, bordellos, blacksmiths, and many more tradesfolk and businesses have sprouted up. Creating an area where those who wish to feel relaxed and enjoy what life has to offer can go and spend some time, and money, to do so. That being said, Duke Martingale stated that illegal activities will be not allowed in the area and will have the guard in the area heavily increased to enforce these laws. That being said, with the first sound of the robins one can also hear the first sounds of battle from these grand fighting arenas. 

In Clan Ironmound the recovery effort continues steadily. However, runeseers are shocked as their runes keep pointing them towards the center of the calamity that occurred last month. The runeseers gather together and continue to cast their runes and divination rituals, however they keep pointing towards the center of the odd calamity that happened in the Great Wolf Hackles, and the runes keep hinting about knowledge and memory. Leading those who have seen the runes, and the runeseers themselves, to believe another Lorespeaker cache has been unearthed.  

With the expedition into the heart of the swamp about to head north, hawks fly from the Shield of Mardrun written by the Northern Shield Protectorate. The Mordok are back, and are attacking the shield in massive numbers due to the early spring thaw. They highly advise against any attempts to venture into the Dirge Swamp and are pleading for aid as the forces of the Mordok are unrelenting and putting the forces of the Shield into a war of attrition as warriors are tiring and becoming too weary and wounded to continue.

The lands of Mardrun shiver as the blustery cold wind blows through the homes and cities that dot it, however the world still seems to stir within the frozen wasteland. 

To the north along the Shield of Mardrun, the Dirge stirs and releases a hoard of Mordok upon the Ulven along the shield. Many Ulven feel the force of these Mordok as the sheer number of the abyss seems to charge forth and strike. Clan Shattered Spear, Clan Whiteoak, and Clan Axehound warriors, along with those manning the outposts fight the seemingly endless forces. However, as soon as it started, it ended with the forces of the Shield tired and weary. However, war drums can be heard off in the distance; the threat looming over the heads of the who man the shield.

In the colonies of Newhope, a mystery is afoot. For a string of murders are occurring throughout their lands. The bodys are often heavily disfigured and left out in the freezing cold. With this mad individual on the loose, the guards are doing their best to prevent further deaths by increasing patrols and recommending citizens board their windows and not let those they do not know into the buildings. The latest killing was a guard that started this practice and was left a note: Wiser folk than you have stood; Even wiser folk have turned their hood. Hide, run, matters not to me; You can search, fight or even flee. But be warned those who seek; Death awaits all who I deem weak.

In Clan Steinjottun, some hunters discovered a series of caves along the northern coast during a low tide while tracking their quarry.  They went inside the caves and noticed a massive network of tunnels. After searching down one they came across pockets carved into the side of the cave walls. The hunters searched these pockets and found what they believed to be a Lorespeaker cache. As they neared the exit, the cache began to burn their hands and steam. As they wrapped their clothes around the handles the fabric caught fire. They decided to bring it back and were able to do so with moderate burns up on their hands. They left and came back the next day with a Daughter of Gaia, but when they came to where the cave opened into the inner network they found that a rockslide had caused the opening to become buried in a seemingly impenetrable wall of stone.

Fisherfolk from Clan Stormjarl off the coast of Fire Isle celebrate as the fishing season for Red Snapper is beginning. Many fishing boats are hauling in the large red fish by the barrel load, but others are setting their sights on larger fish, such as Marlin and Swordfish. With the winter fishing season underway, a small competition, as usual, breaks out between boats to see who can reel or spear the largest fish.

The residents of the land know nothing but ice and snow, all things else that seemed to have been living have either frozen in freezing winds and rain, or fled to find shelter from the dreadfully cold winter.

In Aylin’s Reach, a group of cartographers, sea captains, and logistics personnel gathered around a table to discuss what to do with the islands to the north of Whiteoak and what they could gain. The ships sent out previously discovered rich reefs filled with fish, islands covered in towering pines and hardwoods, and shores perfect for docks and ports. They argued, bickered, and talked long into the night as the candles went from new to small nubs on the table. Eventually an agreement was made, they would attempt to build in the spring.

In the west in Clan Ironmound, the land suddenly shook as if the land itself was angry. Multiple mines collapsed and avalanches came down from the Great Wolf Hackles. After the terror and shaking was done, workers labored tirelessly to try and free those that were stuck inside these mines. Which many wondered if this had happened in the past, to which a few greybeards said it happened back in their grandfather’s time, when the mountains shook with a fury that flattened houses and opened cracks within Gaia herself. With that knowledge, many in Clan Ironmound wonder what caused such calamity and if the Goddess Gaia was angry for some unknown reason.

In settlements throughout the Colonies of Newhope and Aylin’s Reach, individuals are appearing at libraries and leaving books at their doorsteps. Librarians are baffled as these books contain small bits of wisdom, knowledge of the local lands, healing remedies, how to craft certain objects out of wood, and so on. It was when a librarian was able to grab onto the hand of an older individual and asked what was happening with these seemingly random donations.
It was then that the individual said that these people are those that worship the Elder Deities of Richtcrag and are following an ancient tradition and rite of the Elder God Tyrl, The Elder Deity of Wisdom and Winter. When the librarian relayed this information to his colleges, many remembered on the Winter Solstice that there were an unusual amount of scrolls, maps, and books also donated. With the source behind these gifts unveiled, they began to decipher and categorize the books gifted to them.

Winter has come to the continent of Mardrun, blanketing the lands in snow and ice as gods and spirits of winter grasp control. The world slows, but not quite yet still for life must continue on.

In the south in the Colonies of Newhope slow as the lands become hidden by snow, however trade continues throughout the land as salted fish, alcohol, and lumber is brought to settlements before the full force of winter lays roads impassable. Inn’s slow and share of rumors and tales are shared around hearth with soups and warm bread. Tales of individuals doing extraordinary tasks and deeds, tales of love, stories of thrilling adventure and danger, and stories of woe and sorrow.

To the north the Clans Shattered Spear, Whiteoak, and Axehound have united and created the alliance named The Northern Shield Protectorate. Through their unity, they vow to not allow another Mordok attack to happen again, without their effort to halt it at the Shield of Mardrun. The clans have already started to work to improve roads and trails between outposts to allow easier patrols, transport of supplies, and further sight into the undergrowth of the abyss that is the Dirge Swamp. During this time they fought hard and pushed back against multiple attempts to get through, but the Mordok were denied each and every time.

Some rumors have cropped up along the mountain passes of individuals carrying chests along backroads. As for what these chests may contain, many have guessed treasures and fortunes of untold wealth. However, the stories also speak of the individuals who carry these chests as vagrants, ruffians, rogues, and bandits. Some adventurous fools at one point did decide to try and follow them into the mountains on these back roads. A knock came to an inn door one eve and what was found was a chest with not a note upon it. The innkeep eagerly brought it into the building and opened it for all to see. But to the horror of everyone within, laid the heads of the party that tried to follow. And a note was nailed to one head, “Follow us again and we will make your town disappear…”

As winter begins to set upon the land of Mardrun, people hurry to prepare for what lays ahead. The early snows of the year have put a stress on the harvest times, but with hard work and dedication people are able to bring their harvests in successfully..

The Shield of Mardrun seems to be facing some trouble along the Clan Whiteoak border as Mordok continuously throw themselves at the warriors along the line of outposts. The forces mostly seemed to be welps at first, but now are reinforced with more veteran Mordok leading strike forces in both day and night time settings. Clan Whiteoak is doing well keeping these forces back, however are beginning to feel the fatigue starting to set in as they hold back the seemingly endless horde emerging from the abyss.

To the south along The Pass in the Great Wolf Hackles, merchants are having to buy protection and pay tolls to local Bandit Lords in order to avoid being robbed along trade routes. Many merchant guilds are growing increasingly frustrated and are requesting action from nearby governing bodies such as Daven’s Hold, the March of Starkhaven, and the City State of Newhope. However, it seems their words are falling on deaf ears.

Within the walls of Davien’s Hold, many citizens are showing great excitement as they are beginning to see the fruits of Governess Katherine’s ambition within the city. With winter on the horizon and the harsh snows that tend to settle in the lands around them, the time between now and spring was usually harsh and difficult. However, with the effort made by the Council of Three over the past year, the colony has plenty of food stores, wood, and supplies to help its people survive comfortably. Now, with the beginnings of the construction of a market district for the city, many are holding high hopes for the next spring and the prosperity it will bring them.

In Newhope, the sounds of battle can be heard in the corner of the city. This is the result of the freshly built fighting pits that people are flocking to bet and watch as warriors and criminals fight to near death with other warriors, criminals, or wild animals. Many view this as somewhat barbaric, but cannot deny the stress relief and coin that is flowing into and from the pits. It seems that they will only continue to grow in splendor as construction continues to go on in the background as blood is spilled for the joy and entertainment of the populace.

The Ulven all take a collective sigh of relief for the first time in what seems to be years as tensions begin to die down between clans. Allowing them to shift their focus to surviving the upcoming winter, being with family, and looking forward to the next spring and what the gods have in store

With the coming of October comes the full swing of the harvests. Many of the people of Mardrun take part in harvest festivals, celebrating another good harvest. However, these are not the only activities happening across the land.

In the lands of former Clan Riverhead, bandits have secured a foothold and have begun to shift into small factions and bands that contest over the land. These bands of thieves and raiders fight over preferred caravan routes, villages, and other valuable resources. In this group of are two groups of bandits that have been gaining in both size, support, and resources. However neither side seems to be attacking one another and rather focusing on the smaller groups.

A strong late fall storm ravages the coast of Clan Whiteoak, blowing down many trees and damaging coastal villages. However, after the gale force winds took their toll on the land there was a stranger washed upon the shore near one of the villages. According to those from the village it was an extremely old boat that didn’t seem to fit any style known to the village. Some are saying it was from a forgotten clan from before the Lorespeakers altered the history, and some others say it very well could be of Syndar make.

For the past year researchers under the Celestial Arragoness have been studying the remains of the broken Syndar Pylon found in the Riverhead lands. Those who work around the estate claim that the team has been working in shifts in order to continue a non-stop research method. Many are saying that this method, while showing results, has been taxing on the researchers. Many are stating that researchers have been passing out during their shifts due to exhaustion from the workload and expectations from the Arragoness.

Those that were fishing off the coast of Crows Landing or visited villages near it have heard rumors of extreme oddity. In the harbors and fish markets, rumors of sightings of the fabled Aldorian Fish person have sprouted up once again. Many are stating that the sightings mostly around the coast surrounding Crows Landing. One ship has even stated that they were tempted by its song to come closer, but were thankfully able to row away before they succumbed to the call.

The continent takes a collective sigh of relief with the results of talks between Nightriver, Grimward, and Stormjarl. With it comes a moment of peace and tranquility for the majority of Mardrun.

In the former Clan Riverhead lands, an ulven fisherman reels in a record breaking pike. From the sounds of it, the fish put up so much of a fight that it literally pulled the boat around the lake for an extended amount of time. After the long fight however, the fisherman won out and reeled in a twenty-nine pound monster. Truthseekers appeared on the scene about two days later, and could attest to the size and weight of the lake monster.

New Aldoria’s ramshackled city section has begun to disappear as buildings are torn down and placed onto boats. The process takes down a couple sections and continues on throughout the month. Many are happy that the eyesore is gone from their sight, however they cannot help but wonder what Prince Aylin is plotting by moving so many building materials north.

With the treaty signed and the tensions beginning to lax between Stormjarl and Grimward, a new issue has arisen in Clan Squalborn. The clan leadership decided to align with their invader’s, Clan Stormjarl, in a surprising twist of events. When news of their alliance with Stormjarl reached the rest of the packs, outrage broke out. Many packs are now refusing to support Pack Squalborn within the clan, some of the larger ones even calling into question their right to lead their people due to the decision that was made. Some packs on the northern border are siding with the idea they should align with Clan Steinjutton or Clan Axehound who have showed interest in helping them and have gained some favor with the northern citizens. The southern border has many who agree with the notion of aligning with Clan Stormjarl, which mostly consist of the clan’s leadership and their own people. In between the two borders is utter chaos and bedlam as packs argue and fight over who should actually lead Clan Squalborn in this time, and many claim that they are the ones that should. One thing is for certain, Clan Squalborn is on the edge of an inter-clan civil war.

In the former lands of Pack Goldmane, some ulven traveled the land in hopes of taking a short cut. While traveling this caravan stopped in by a seemingly nice clearing for the night and set up camp. One warrior was left on night watch and on his honor swears that he had a strange experience that night. According to the warrior once everyone fell asleep he heard crying and screams coming a little way off. He abandoned his post and walked towards the disturbance on the other side of the clearing. Once there, he felt a chill as he thought he heard the sounds of a battle and the cries and screams of people around him. He quickly turned back to leave but felt something push him square in his back which caused him to lose balance and trip. In his stumble he rolled down a small hill over various rocks and branches. When he finally scrambled back to the camp and told the story, many scoffed at him and his story, telling him to go back to sleep and that it must have been a bad dream. The following morning he told everyone that he had a sharp pain in the center of his back and when his fellow travellers checked they found his clothes stained with a bloody mark in the shape of a hand. Most have written this off as an injury from his tumble down the hill, but he continues to spread the story of the bloody handprint and how the vengeful ghosts of Goldmane pushed him down that hill.

The month of August comes and goes, but the hustle and bustle of Mardrun is ongoing. 

In the City State of Newhope there has been a rather large amount of guards found dead in the alleyways, guardhouses, taverns, and in their own homes. Many of those investigating are reporting poison, strangulation, and multiple stab wounds as the causes of death. This news has put many of the guards and those that reside within the walls into a moderate paranoia.

The City State of Newhope has expanded dramatically over the past three months, most notably the settlements of Crow’s Landing and Starkhaven. With these two large settlements now under their control, both economic and martial forces have drastically grown, creating an even greater force to be reckoned with . 

While the City State expands, the city of Daven’s Hold has started a rather ambitious project. Governess Kathrine has announced that the success that she has seen rallying citizens under her banner has given her reason to begin construction on a larger, improved merchant quarter for the city. Many who have lived in Daven’s Hold over the past year are eager to see what the Council of Three can do after seeing the highly aggressive expansions over the past year. 

The Tensions rise further along the Stormjarl and Grimward Clan borders; it has been noted that Clan Stormjarl have heavily reinforced their defensive fortifications while Clan Grimward Warpacks, geared to the teeth with Clan Ironmound Steel, now march to form a wall of shields and blades. The coastline can see Stromjarl ships patrolling off shore ready to move against enemy ships. Yet, neither side moves to press further to engage one another, the tension is palpable as both stare at one another and each wonders who will make the first move.

On the other end of the continent, Clan Squalborn is close to the breaking point due to lack of clan leadership, good farmland, harsh winters, and lack of resources.. Clan Steinjottun, Clan Axehound, and even Aylin’s Reach are eyeing up the possible prize of people and lands. The future of the clan is uncertain, but what is certain is that its neighbors are planning to take full advantage of their plight.