Elanthian Journal/Edition 06

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                     The Elanthian Journal
                           Edition #6
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The following articles of interest are contained herein:

1 ........................ Mayor Makes Statement
2 ........................ City Takes Action
3 ........................ No Shortage of Short Swords
4 ........................ Town Clerk discovers Falsified Records
5 ........................ Beloved Editor Found Dead!
6 ........................ Disposition of the 5th and 6th Lich Vessels
7 ........................ Icemule prepares for Harsh Winter
8 ........................ An Ancient Debt
9 ........................ Letters to the Editor: Decline of the Small Town?
10 ....................... Letters to the Editor: Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove

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Mayor Makes Statement
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Dateline:  Day 26 of Koaratos, 5102: Wehnimer's Landing

The Mayor's Office of Wehnimer's Landing, reacting to an increase in citizen complaints issued the following statement.

"It has come to our attention that many citizens have been being persecuted by certain special interested groups, looking to collect silvers for "protection" and then arranging to have said citizens burgled or other such crimes to property or person.  These actions will be no longer tolerated.  I have authorized the Constable to hire a force of town guards.  These guards are responsible for enforcing the law."

Anzell, the local armorer praised the changes.  "Its about time.  The amount they have been asking for protection is ludicrous.  I will not pay!"  Kilron, a resident shop owner, agreed and donated a small sum of silver for the upkeep of the guards.

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City Takes Action
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Dateline:  Day 26 of Koaratos, 5102: Wehnimer's Landing

As their first official act in response to a recent statement made by the Mayor, the town guards began patrols of the Wehnimer's Landing streets.  Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity.

There are also reports that the Mayor of Wehnimer's Landing has retained a local barrister to audit all town accounts.  The Register and the Debt Collector have agreed to fully cooperate and have a full accounting no later than the 31st of Koaratos.   The Constable's records were also requested, but he has been unavailable for comment.

Wehnimer's Landing is slowly being rebuilt after the disastrous attack of the Dark Alliance many months ago.  Thanks in no small part to its citizens, who have diligently harvested wood from the surrounding forests and braved many an angry kobold for doing so.  The Mayor would like to extend his thanks for such gestures of goodwill, and has decided to throw an impromptu celebration on behalf of these adventurers who went above-and-beyond in this effort.  Merchants and others have been invited to the town, and the Mayor himself said that since most of the shops have been repaired, that the way is now paved to start cleaning up the town itself.

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No Shortage of Short Swords
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Dateline:  Day 14 of Lumnea, 5102:  Wehnimer's Landing

Concern has been raised recently about the alarming number of short swords dropped in the forest near the Landing.  The swords are dropped by the legions of kobolds that are defeated in the vicinity daily.  They are sometimes cleaned up, but are usually left to sit in the woods and rust.  Many a traveler has lost a foot when stepping into a bush.  And the diseases spread due to the rust make this hazard even worse.

Local citizens are concerned about their children venturing outside of town and finding these weapons strewn about.  The Mayor of the Landing, though unreachable for comment, replied to inquiries via messenger.  He states, "We cannot be held responsible for what happens in the wilds.  We have only so many resources, which are now particularly taxed.  People concerned about the forest litter problems should keep their children inside the city walls for the time being."

A local group is organizing clean-up days for exploring the forest and removing the hazards.  Warrior and empath escorts are being contracted for the job.

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Town Clerk discovers Falsified Records
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Dateline:  Day 14 of Lumnea, 5102: Wehnimer's Landing

The town clerk of Wehnimer's Landing has discovered a series of falsified documents registered in his office.  They appear to have official seals and signatures on them, but are now, upon further inspection, forgeries.  The records, which include real estate deeds, silver notes, property claims, and certificates of death, seem to be registered to a number of non-existent people, some dead, some unknown.  The clerk is working hard to identify a pattern that will lead to the culprit.

"This appears to be an ongoing effort by person or persons in the Landing to defraud the town of property and wealth," said the clerk.  "We will not rest until the culprits are uncovered and brought to justice!"  The clerk will be working long hours until the mystery is solved.

Some townsfolk, however, are less optimistic about the chances of catching the criminals.  "You can bet yer last silver that iffin these notes was found, they was meant ta be found," said town locksmith Larton.  "Whoever did this, ain't about ta be caught.  If ya found five forgeries, dere's bound ta be fifty.  Plus, whoever did this, might just slide a silver in da right way, and the whole mess be cleaned up.  Know what I mean?"  The locksmith would not elaborate on his final comment.  The Mayor was unavailable for an interview regarding high level corruption in his office or in the Moot Hall.

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Beloved Editor Found Dead!
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DATELINE:  15th of Lumnea, 5102:  Wehnimer's Landing

In the earliest hours of the morning, the Landing's constabulary was roused.  They discovered Rharosch Dashovath's corpse, lying in the street, surrounded by broken glass.  According to sources, the glass is from a second story window in a local inn, where the Journal's editor had been staying.

Preliminary investigation has the constable calling the death a suicide, although he has yet to completely rule out foul play.  Inside sources do, however, reveal that the former Journal editor suffered a severe beating before his death. Experts in such matters were brought in to assist the investigation, including several local sages and an elven diviner from a southern settlement, but their findings were scarce.  Wounds found on the body suggest that the victim had been badly beaten before his two-story fall, perhaps with a club, mace, or other blunt weapon.

Officials are baffled by this turn of events, saying that Dashovath, although abrasive, was well liked among the local merchants and craftsmen.  When asked for comment, local blacksmith, Iron Jack, said, "Well, at least he paid his bills on time."

Some official sources speculate that, if the editor's death was indeed a suicide, it was likely inspired by Dashovath's burgeoning debts, which have recently been exacerbated by his foray into the publishing business.

Journal insiders cite a recent rivalry with another publisher as the motive behind, what they say is, Dashovath's alleged murder.  The editorial staff of the rival Elanthian Times has made several public, and rather inflammatory, statements regarding the late editor.  As of press time, the Times staff could not be reached for comment.

At least one eyewitness has come forward, supporting claims that this may indeed be a murder case.  While wishing to remain anonymous, he has stated that he saw a "tall man, dressed all in black, wearing a deeply hooded cloak" flee the scene, only moments after Dashovath's body struck the cobblestones.  He continues to say that the events he witnessed attracted his attention because, "they were disturbing the sky."

The local constable has assured that he and his staff will, "... follow every lead to its ultimate conclusion with all due diligence."

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Disposition of the 5th and 6th Lich Vessels
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Dateline:  23rd of Lumnea, 5102: Icemule Trace

The fifth vessel of the nine liches of the former Council of Ten was discovered on the 31st day of Ivastaen in the mine on Mine Road outside Wehnimer's Landing.  The vessel took the form of a blackened metallic sphere and was espied under the dead corpse of the old miner by this writer.  Subsequently, I gave the sphere over to Thurfel for placement upon the altar.  However, the corpse of the old miner was animated by a lich when the sphere was uncovered.

This corpse set its sights upon Atoyoz, thus warning us the orb was that of the lich who had her in possession, the other of the two females of the Council, the one named Cheritz.  We managed to all get safely into the vault via a portal opened by the magic of the firemage.  Once the sphere was upon the altar, Atoyoz was freed from possession, though this process proved as painful as it had formerly for Blizzerdd, resulting in her death.  However, she was raised finally free of the taint of the lich.

The sixth vessel of the Nine was discovered on the 20th of Lumnea in Pioneer Cemetery outside Icemule Trace.  This vessel took the form of a flickering mist-filled orb and was unturned within the mausoleum of Talbot Dabbings by the young bardess Tesserah.  Trianvar immediately accosted her, letting it be known was his orb.  Tesserah also gave the sphere over to Thurfel for placement upon the altar.  Immediately upon its receipt into Thurfel's hands, the lich lost his ability to possess Opalina and killed her in anger, though this action could not stop the ultimate freeing of her soul.

Trianvar was enraged with this turn in events and, as the orb was placed upon the altar in the vault, he summoned undead from the earth.  These minions of the lich attacked Icemule, killing many.  Thurfel aided the townsfolk in defense of the Trace.  In the end, Thurfel and Trianvar squared off against one another in the Ice Garden of Voln.  The lich was majorly damaged by the firemage before fleeing in cowardice.

So the total count thus far is six vessels found, four in Thurfel's possession, and two in the liches' possession.  Additionally, the firemage mentioned that he believed the liches will re-hide the two spheres they now hold, as they would be fearful of them being taken from them by force.  This does seem to indeed be the case, as Thulevier -- the lich in Vonka and one who does hold his own orb, seemingly spoke to her recently via private mind thoughts, saying he does intend to re-hide his vessel where no one will ever find it.

Lady Iscikella Zinnonn

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Icemule prepares for Harsh Winter
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Dateline:  Day 14 of Lumnea, 5102: Icemule Trace

All the signs point to a particularly harsh winter for the residents of Icemule.  Though winter is far off, many elemental experts are pointing to signs in nature that this winter could rival the Witch Winter experienced in the Empire some 375 years ago.  If so, passes may freeze over completely, making travel impossible.  Local authorities are hesitant to make preparations for the possible harsh storms that will accompany the severe season, due to the repeated false warnings issued by elemental experts in the past.

Some concerned citizens have started hoarding supplies in preparation.  Oil and wood, normally in short supply, have become increasingly scarce.  Dried food stuffs are also being purchased in record numbers.  Fur traders are becoming rich overnight as their goods are in much higher demand.  Most merchants are not making any additional runs to the northern outpost, as the official stance of the Merchant's Guild is that the predictions are nonsense.  This may change if demand remains high.

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An Ancient Debt
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Dateline: Day 5 of Koaratos, 5102: Ta'Illistim

A few weeks ago, a strange mist appeared in the potter's field, accompanied by a hissing whisper. The whisperer was Eldar of the Darken, who said he served Lord Borarus. He told us that Borarus was once a great king, defeated dishonorably in battle ages ago. He would not say who the sides were or why they fought, but he did say that Borarus and the Darken had been imprisoned by Luukos, and that Borarus had recently defeated Luukos and escaped. Those present were asked to swear fealty to Borarus, and I and three others did so.

Unsure of their intentions, and seeing the eagerness of the others to do their bidding without question, I swore fealty, hoping that I could gain more information, should the Darken's intentions be ill. Once sworn, we were asked to collect troll parts. On the night set to return, none of the others sworn arrived, and I alone deposited the items, which were swallowed by the mist. Eldar said the Darken mages would resurrect Borarus, who would rely on the regenerative properties of the troll parts to heal for a fortnight.  He thanked me and said I would be richly rewarded.

I returned to the 'holy' spot, two weeks later, accompanied by my fiancee and Amazon Sisters. The ground fissured, and Borarus came; he spoke at length and answered questions in a roundabout manner. We feared he served Luukos and planned misfortune on our town, but Borarus assured us, in his own way, that he followed no Arkati, and said he had been assassinated in the war Eldar had mentioned. Luukos had stolen his soul as it journeyed to the Ebon Gate, trapping him and the Darken until Darken mages were able to find the right magics to free them all.

When he finished his tale, Borarus charged me with a quest: to drop a diamond within the gates of Ta'Illistim, to complete a spell to release the Darken's souls from Luukos' grasp.  He said the Darken had been a peaceful and loyal people in life, and his aid in their salvation was simply a repayment of a debt, since the Darken mages had worked tirelessly to free him.  We worried that an unspeakable evil might be unleashed on Ta'Illistim, but Borarus assured us that a freed soul would wish no harm on anyone.

My Sisters and I journeyed to Ta'Illistim, to await the first of the month. On the appointed night, Eldar told us that something had gone amiss. He explained that some of the Darken had been recaptured by Luukos, and that Borarus was seeking them. We were to wait until the morrow, but I was asked to collect diamonds, as they would increase the strength of the spell. The following night, we were surrounded by shadows and countless pairs of piercing red eyes. I dropped the diamonds and suddenly there began a loud hum and chanting. The diamonds began to glow.

One by one, the diamonds shattered, the shards skittering across the cobblestones before melting into the ground.  As the last diamond spattered like water on a hot skillet, the humming intensified and the fragments swirled, filling the area with dancing lights.  The earth rumbled, accompanied by a deafening roar, and suddenly a sheer white column of light exploded from the ground.  It sounded like a thousand cries of joy, and became a fountain of luminescent tears.  A violent wind whipped around us, each droplet of light disappearing as would an ember, before the ground became silent once more.

When the light faded, Eldar appeared. He hissed no more, as if Luukos no longer controlled him. He said that Borarus was again imprisoned, but that many of the Darken had escaped their bonds. He said that those that remained thanked us, and that we had succeeded where all others had failed.

He continued, saying that though some of the Darken remain trapped, many are now free to work against the evils that keep them trapped within the Mists. He told me, "We may call upon you again, Nediva of the Amazon. You have proven yourself loyal and a friend. - Nediva Willowgrove "

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Letters to the Editor: Decline of the Small Town?
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Dateline: Day 22 of Lumnea, 5102

As I have wandered the lands of late, a disturbing trend has become evident to me. Where once all of the small towns of Elanthia were welcoming and helpful to citizen and stranger alike, nowadays they are becoming more short tempered and isolationist.  I hear talk in many towns of how strangers are ruining the town, how those who have been citizens for quite some time are ruining the town and how any change at all is a bad thing. That if anyone speaks of strange things they need to be run out of town, forcefully if necessary.

In my opinion it is not the strangers or the citizens who do things you do not agree with that are ruining the towns, it is those who do not remember two important things. Their own past and that everyone is a unique person. Everyone was new to the town they live in at one point and had to learn the customs and the traditions. Each person also has their own view of how things should work. Just because it does not agree with your viewpoint, does that mean they need to be run out of town?

I suggest that we learn from those we do not agree with and teach those who not only need teaching, but those who disagree with us. Yes, there are those who refuse to learn, but unless it is attempted, nothing will ever change. When someone does something that is against the tradition and customs of a town, explain to them the tradition and why it is that way. It is even possible that the traditions may change, just because something has always been done one way does not mean that it is the right way or the only way.

To close, I plead with everyone, remember if you do not like something, the best way to change it is by your example, not force and not insults.

A concerned citizen of Elanthia

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Letters to the Editor: Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove
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Dateline:  Day 19 of Lumnea, 5102

To the Editor,

I was dismayed to read the letter from Lord Holswort in the most recent edition of this paper.  I hope and pray that my fellow townspeople are wise enough to read between the lines of his missive.  He is an educated man and has the manners expected of one known at court.  We cannot allow a polished exterior and keen political mind to betray us into overlooking the truth of what he offers.

It is there for anyone to read, if they will simply look beyond the surface into the true meaning of his words.  The Baron Hochstib offers nothing but tyranny.  As a frontier town we are not often embroiled in the political machinations that run rampant through any empire, be it elven or human.  It must remain this way.  Our citizens have shown many times over that we are able to meet any foe and that we can overcome any temporary defeat.  We do not need the assistance of outsiders and we especially do not need those for whom politics is a way of life to stick their noses into our affairs.  Our liberty must be retained at all costs or everything we have built and fought for over the years will come to naught.

It is asinine for Lord Holswort to claim that his forces could have or would have stood against the power of Luukos when his Baron serves the Turamzzyrian Empress, a suspected Luukosian.  His offer of assistance is in truth an offer to put shackles around our wrists.  We must not be blinded by an appearance of kindness during a time of need.  Such "help" would be our undoing.  Take special note of his veiled threat near the end of his letter.  The velvet glove of kindness offered to us by Jantalar contains an iron fist. Do not ever forget it.

Lady Danay Mayfern - Wehnimer's Landing Citizen

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