222 / 05 / 11 - Rainbow Bard Returns

On Marday afternoon the guards at the East Gate were shocked to see a once familiar figure approaching. Dressed in tattered, multi-coloured clothing and with hair of multiple shades they at first took him for a fan of the renowned John Fennan. As the figure limped closer, it became clear that this was no imposter, it was the famous singer himself.
While there was no issue with allowing this injured traveller to enter Chirin, word was sent to the patrol as John had been reported as being killed during a failed expedition. John’s death had been reporting by two former members of John’s adventuring group, The Rainbow Crew. These two survivors, Payle Vinlor and Lindon Silversmith, had gone on to found the Chimera Crew, which gained a certain notoriety in 221 due to the dubious actions of it’s members.
John was escorted to the Mallory so his wounds could be treated before being invited to provide his version of what had happened. While he was given the option of waiting for a few days, members of the patrol have indicated that he was keen to share the details of the betrayal by half of his company.
According to John the Rainbow Crew had been exploring near Juviendar, following up a lead on a potentially interesting site. Where John’s story differed from that told by Payle and Lindon, is in the events that occurred while exploring the site. According to John the group had triggered a set of guardians that attacked them. John had been caught, and when he called for help only Varren Locke had come to help him. Varren succeeded in rescuing John but when they tried to catch up with Payle and Lindon, they found that the way out had been sealed by their colleagues. With no way out Varren bravely put himself in danger in order to protect John. Though successful in dealing with their enemies Varren was so badly wounded that John was unable to save him.
It took John weeks to escape from the ruins and his supplies had almost run out by the time he once again saw daylight. Forced to forage for food, John attempted to gradually make his way back to civilisation but was waylaid by bandits, who periodically infest the ruins of Juviendar. It will to as no surprise to many of our readers that John managed to keep himself alive through an impromptu performance.
John reports that he was finally able to escape the bandits after months of captivity as a result of an attack by the giant insect like creatures which live in the desert beyond Juviendar. Reports about increased attacks from the Eastside Lancers seem to back up this tale and raise the possibility of another large invasion.
Despite the cowardly, and potentially criminal, actions of Payle and Lindon, we understand that John has declined to press charges. He will instead be focusing on performing around Chirin, though we would not be surprised if some of John's new material delivers his own verdict on his former comrades' actions.