1039 - Fall/Winter

A Guardian by Any Other Name

Winter comes, mild as it is the changing of the seasons brings to mind the many dangers the Guardians have left behind them, a painful reminder of the price so many have paid for the settlement to thrive and a deeper concern that their role may soon be cast aside. Change storms in with the cold eastern winds, bringing a new authority to the New World, and the many hands that have schemed in shadows may soon come to light. So much though remains the same, danger still threatens the colonies from without, and more dangerously, from within. It may not be within your power to retain your title, but it is yours to decide what role you play as this young world struggles toward maturity.
As the first cold settles in a meeting is called in the new council chambers, west of the Great Grove and Gardens where the Guardians once claimed their enclave, adjacent to the Iron Foundries and the new Guildhall. All those who have some say in the current governance will be present, those who stake came from the initial settlement and those appointed by the leaders to support the colonies these last three years. Their is much to be discussed, perhaps for the last time, though the looming change of government stands in the forefront of everyone's minds. Even with this concern time has been made for a discussion on the Grovekeepers of the Blessed Leaf, with Devrick Galle and additional members of the settlement poised to give testimony. It promises to be an interesting day.

State of the Colonies

Orcs are raiding the SW settlements
The colony prospers but the governing council of Hampsterdam remains vastly underfunded
Mutilated bodies are being discovered all around the rims of the settlement
A strange disease strikes the settlers of the Sagouri Swamps
Ships are vanishing from off the coast
Iron supplies are dwindling as resources have been cut off
Minotaurs are raiding the NW settlements
Meggido has occupied some of the settlements across the bay
DR33MS haunt the settlements
Culty Goodness thrives in some areas but is suppressed in others
Domestic Instability remains though lessened significantly
Sigrun, occupied by the Saggarans, is under siege by the New Carrylean Empire
The NCE occupied Coimbra
Jericho is said to have been visited by a sizeable fleet from the Sigil of Mane

Updates

Expedition Notes - the Ancient Naval Facility
The Magi D'Invocati update from research
Meeting with Albina Prax Vaius :
Albina greets you coyly, as usual, not dropping her pretext of being a simple merchant - but she cuts directly to the point. " Joey the Sorcadin , my patron has a request of you and is willing to grant you a small fleet of warships if you can succeed - no games, no mystery. A man traveling under the name Orestes Foreman has either arrived here or will be shortly, he is an older Van man with noble affectations to his speech, a plotter for a failed coup. He has most likely fled with his family. We need them secured and brought to us."
Strange Dreams continue
Diplomat Envoy from Heute send securely to Joey the Sorcadin from the office of Duke Numentus :
"Please do not attempt to contact the High Duke."
You notice the distinctive marks of a diplomat signalling to the Rui and find a series of numbers hidden in the envelope itself:
"11-9-14-7-4-5-1-4-3-15-21-16-6-9-14-4-20-8-5-19-15-14"