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>>Submitted by Volgor<< Six minstrels came running into one of the towns in northern Formour and were singing a song of murderers and theives.
The song goes:
We were walking along in a happy mood,
When we came across a "horrible brood".
A devil, a thief, a troll and an elf,
Attacked so fast we couldn't protect ourselvs.
The troll had an axe,
And asked for our cash.
We ran away as fast as we can,
The elf steered the cart and tried to run us down,
The thief slit a throat and and never frowned.
The devil charged in and tried to run us through,
But we got away so what could he do.
We lost twenty brothers to the "horrible brood",
And now we sing in a somber mood.
We hope this song will warn you our friends,
We are off to the king and hope guards he will send.
>>Two more submitted by Volgor: he is working on an East Lands supplement<<
A shout goes out in all of Formour that explorers have come back from Osterre. The explorers bring news of new races and new dangers with them. For hours local townspeople listen intently as the explorers tell of their adventure: of their run-in with the Orcs, of the brief but informative sighting of the Ogres, of frogs that act as men; and they bring more rumors back from those lands, rumors that will be revealed later.
There has been a rumor spreading from the explorers of the east lands of a tale from both the Orcs and the Ogres. There is little variance in the story from the two groups from what the explorers could hear, because they had to hide themselves in the bushes from the fearsome Orcs. It seems there is a large castle on the border between the Orc and Ogre lands. Most of the time the castle seems unoccupied. Everyonce in a great while there seems to be a few candles lit in the top of the tower but it is brief and only seems to appear once a month or so. The Ogres believe the tower is haunted and some say a few Ogres went in and never came out. The Orcs say it is possesed by Demons and when some of their tribe went in they became part of the Demon conglomerate.
>>Submitted by Volgor<< There seems to be a Gaijin of very large proportions heading for the Heldannic lands. He is accompanied by an Elf a Human and a Troll. No one is sure why they are there but from far away you can hear the Gaijin constantly cursing up a storm. In other words from the Heldannic lands it seems there are a few break of groups of Hobgoblins forming together after their leader was killed by a ghoul. Some have said they have heard the Goblins speaking of where the Ghoul is now and they want to head there. Whether it be to talk to the mighty Ghoul or to kill her who knows.
A large warband of marauders have laid waste to the Formourian cities of Argent and Citadel. It is commonly believed that one group is responsible for both cities' destruction. Survivors have reported large groups of Undead and Ghouls ravaging graves and attacking those unfortunates who remain. King Azail of Formour has issued bounties of 300 guilder for accurate information leading to those responsible, 500 guilder per head for anyone verifiably a member of this horde, and 2000 guilder per head--as well as land--for any leaders of the marauders. There is an additional 500 guilder for the first person who brings verifiable news that the marauders have been destroyed.
Scores of murderous bandits are attacking travelers in the area surrounding the city of Argent in Formour. These bandits are well organized and seem to have a central command and control structure. The exact nature of their organization is still unknown as are their aims--if any other than banditry.
Outfits by Shiva
The latest styles are sweeping across the Byzant Empire (and may soon gain ground in Formour). Predominant among these are the new style tops, based strongly off of those commonly favoured by dancers.
These are short, figure-showing, outfits in enticing colours. The sleeves are loose, often transparant, and various fringe and other subtle decorations complete these shirts.
The King of Formour is announcing the formation of an honour guard. This will be based on the honour guard of the Byzant Empire. All officers and NCO's in the Formourian military are eligible to try out, but preference will be given to older, higher-ranking soldiers as their duties will be primarily ceremonial. This is very much a 'spit and polish' assignment, rather than something for a 'field' soldier.
The reason that the Emperor of Byzzant is never seen in public is that he is possessed by a demon. Variants of this rumour are that he has died--with his wives ruling until his son returns, or that he is an impostor of some sort.
A Gaijin of mixed-blood is rapidly gaining reknown in among those living in the Heldannic Confederation and the Farreaches. He is dark-haired, and of a paler complexion than other Gaijin. Thus far, this warrior has proven himself to be a relentless foe to all who oppose him. No one has ever witnessed him losing a battle, nor has anyone ever heard of such an event. He is currently rumoured to be seeking out the Changing Folk that live and hunt the Farreaches. His motives are currently unknown.
One of the Dukes of Formour has died, leaving no apparent heir to rule that duchy. Representatives of the Crown are searching for any of the old Duke's line, but so far such pursuits have not borne fruit. Meanwhile, many of the subsidiary nobles of the duchy are vying for the title, as are some among the Archduke's family.
A new religion is spreading across the land. The diety goes by many different names, but the most common one is Strife the Chaosbringer.
A number of small tremmors have struck northern Bizzant. Citizens of the Empire worry that these are only precursors to a sizeable earthquake.
A new 'ultimate tome of the magical arts' is supposedly circulating amongst the Elves. A few reported copies have passed into the hands of Bizannite wizards. This magical book is deceptively crafted, appearing quite unlike any books of magic previously penned. One sage has been noted as saying that the author is a great magician by the name of Theodore Geisel.
A knightly organization is apparently operating in the Farreaches. They have been sighted in battle with the local Hobgoblin tribes. It is uncertain what their plans are at this time, but they have not attacked any Dwarf or Human settlements, and do not seem to be conquering lands or towns.
An unknown individual has been making threats toward the King of Formour. This person has been threatening to assault the royal family during the Princess's birthday party. Despite the fact that the unknown would-be assassin is making these threats in the seedier parts of various Formourian cities, the crown is not taking any chances and has begun hiring 'less noticeable' guardians.
The daughter of the Viscountess of Plano is missing her kitten. She would like very much to have it back. Her mother would also be appreciative. The kitten was a present from her god-father, the Archmage Nathaniel.
A group of Goths known as the "Syren" have begun preliminary work to create an artificial island-city to be known as "Necropolis," This new city will be inside of the channel separating Formour from Byzant. They are rumoured to be creating this as a haven that will have allegiance to no country.
Travellers near the forests north of Acacia, considered haunted and too dense to pass through, have been experiencing lapses in time. Trips that should last a few days may take weeks, even years. Wizards sent to investigate have found no reason for this, and indeed no true evidence that these periods of lost time even occurred.
The sign said wet floor, so he did.
Elves have been sighted along the mountainous border between their lands and the Kingdom of Formour. It is widely held that they may renew trade with other nations. The Elves have only had limited trade for the past 50 years with a select few merchant families and companies. Their commerce has been restricted to one port and one trade post on the border of their lands. Their presence has been virtually unknown outside of their heavily-guarded nation. Long considered to be aloof and mysterious, Elves travelling to foreign soil has been quite rare in the past century.
The Bizant Empire has been massing troops in the southern provinces. This is far too large a force to be a simple exercise. The neighboring countries are expecting the Empire to end its 20 year peace and resuming the conquest of new land.
A technomancer of the Heldannic Confederation has announced his latest creation, a device that "purifies water with the gentle rays of the sun."
A merchant of Acacia--a port city of southwestern Formour near the Elven lands--has begun hiring woodsmen, loggers, civil engineers, and warriors to clear a road through the forest near there. It is rumoured that he is trying to connect Acacia to the riverways of Formour for faster travel, rather than utilizing the longer sea routes.
The 3rd Expeditionary Fleet has set sail for a newly discovered island nation in the Greatsea. This new-found land is not recorded in any lore, but could be linked to the old sailors' tales about an island of powerful women conjurers. It is unknown at this time if the mission is diplomatic or military in nature.
A mysterious entity known only as "DeathDancer" has been killing known or suspected criminals in the areas of south-eastern Formour, and those parts of Bizant directly across the channel, that are heavily populated by Goths. The identity of this individual (or possibly group) is uncertain--and indeeed may not even exist--but the rumour is that he or she (or it) is a phantom-assassin of great power. This would seem to be contrary to the tennents of the phantom organization.
King Azail and Queen Elspeth of Formour are announcing the birth of their newest daughter (their sixth). Formourian tradition bequeaths the Kingdom to the eldest child, rather than the eldest son. This is fortunate for the royal family, as the Crown Princess (Geneveve)will be the fourth-generation in a row where the monarchy has passed along matriarchal lines.
The King is declaring a holiday week starting on the 21st of Gulik to commemorate the happy event. The Queen has not yet made a statement to the public concerning her sixth child.
The farmlands of North-eastern Formour, and the southern portion of the Heldannic Confederation, are experiencing widespread crop failures due to the unnatural weather. Famine, and accompanying disease, are laying waste to entire families. It is believed by local wizards and loremasters that the groundwater has become contaminated by plague.
Travellers in the Farreaches area west of the Heldannic Freeholds are reporting an increase in raids by Hobgoblins. Some of these attacks involve bandits that are wearing tribal colours that have not been seen before. It is unknown whether this is a new tribe, or one that has been in hiding since the collapse of the Olde Empire.
The mage Halloran, of Hometowne, is offering a reward of 300 guilder "or equivalent in services" for information regarding his lost apprentices. Halloran seems more angered than worried by their disappearance, lending credibility to the rumour that one of the apprentices has rare technomantic scrolls in his possession.
Also in Hometowne, the family of the youth known locally as "Da Pimp," is offering a 30 guilder reward for the safe return of their child. The family disavows any alleged wrongdoing of either their son or his friends.
The last surviving member of a noble Freeholder family long thought slain by Hobgoblins is seeking to return to her ancestral home and avenge her lost family.
The recent ill-weather in the north-eastern corner of the Kingdom of Formour is believed to be caused by an ongoing battle between two powerful elementalist-wizards.
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