Easter, 626

As winter drags its heels, finally letting spring fully take hold, the snow melts slowly and the call to adventure is felt once again. After the success of the gathering at Whitehall last year, the locals are looking to welcome back the adventures once again. Especially since Handall Hall was cleared and the relations with the Circle of Fangs druids are better than they have been in many years. However, those weren’t the only problems impacting Armonia and its allies.

Archaeologists that have been working to uncover secrets in the City of Petals have been disappearing. Some do return days later, weakened and with no memories of what happened, but those are the lucky ones. Some never return. The archaeologists still brave enough to continue their work are worried the former Grand Archivist, Eltierre, is behind this, since the adventurers released their spirit at the last gathering.

Since the last time Whitehall was visited by adventurers, new problems have been plaguing the area. Wolves are becoming better at getting to the livestock, biting open the locks to get into henhouses in the area. The locals claim the problems get worse when there is a full moon, sparking rumors of possible werefolk. A winter chill still clings, as the last dregs of winter refuse to leave. Fey ruffians claiming the Winter Court’s influence are searching for something in Ancora. So far they have failed to find what they search for, but they are taking more of an interest in Whitehall, potentially following the adventurers as they spend more time in the area.

As more information has been discovered about the incarnates and their lifecycle – seen so far from seed, to being hosted and to the unknown beyond – worry spreads of what happens if someone with ill intent gets hold of them. Unfortunately the Weapon seed’s trail leads to a brutal fighting ring driving its fighters to frenzy. Not only that, but the Alchemy seed seems to have created a harsh environment of rapid growth and decay that functions like a tide. Both seem daunting tasks but with the adventurers’ resourcefulness there may yet be hope.

Not all news is bad though. The Sho-Ochan delegates have safely returned to their lands and were impressed with Armonia, Yun Eglessia, and The Dominion. With their borders now open a new era of trade and collaboration will bring these troubled nations closer together. On Solaris, Baron Ontrol’s political position has stabilized due to his allies, the adventurers that were able to slay the giant. There is still a faithful following on the island though, those that respect Solianna for their strength and the obsidian barrier that keeps the Gnolls contained. The fame of the legendary defeat of the giant has also sparked murmurs of what impressive feat the adventurers could take on next. Some tell of the lost magic of La Pagras, sealed away in Aster Nomie. Could the heroes that managed to fell an enemy thought invincible be the ones to find these long forgotten spells and rituals?

The head of a powerful mercantile empire, Cassandra Evermore, is ‘declaring war’ on the criminal underworld. Many have attempted to eliminate this very opponent, but most have failed to make any lasting impact. Nevertheless, Evermore has pledged her sizable resources to bring law and order to Armonia.

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Thanksgiving, 625 : Life Flows On

Long summer evenings begin to fade into autumn. As if sensing the change in seasons to come, the waters around Armonia grow turbulent.

Sailors report strange storm surges in the sea north of Solaris. The storms quickly dissipate after striking land, as if the sky itself is searching for land. Most of the Shi-Ocho fleet has raised sail and departed Armonian waters, but a fair flock remains. All but two of these ships now bear Solari banners as well as Shi-Ochan colours. One of the vessels flying only the visitor’s colours is newly docked and far more luxurious than the ships that left.

Ports buzz with rumours of Shi-Ochans and of spirits. Sailors, mainland and Solari, whisper about a vengeful pirate spirit. It calls out a name and disappears when it gets no reply.

As Autumn descends, the Lord of the Haunted Wood’s absence is noted. Once a constant presence, the Fae Lord has withdrawn into his twisted domain. Some say he is weaving a dark and patient scheme, others that he is licking wounds from battle.

Strange going-ons in Faerie resonate with happenings in Armonia. A foreboding new spire has been erected in north Sterling, rising like a wound against the sky. From its gates, shambling legions of Undead spill forth. Whispers in nearby taverns speak of a single name with dread; Suigam, the vampire.

In Soiveles, the Four Families are set to meet. Said to be the first official gathering in decades, such a meeting has long been thought impossible. Rivalries between the Families have shaped the Trade City’s fate for generations. The location and time of the meeting have been kept secret as has the meeting’s purpose. It must be a matter grave enough to set aside old vendettas… or dangerous enough to forge new ones.

Under Armonia, excavations within the City of Petals continue. Recently a massive bronze doorway locked with some form of puzzle was uncovered. The Mithril Compounding Company has started delivering mysterious missives to certain highly placed, influential customers. Talkative recipients tell that the missives are taking pre-orders for “indiscernible designer simulacra” built “for novelty purposes only”.

Summer starting to fade brings reasons for pleasant excitement. Villages in Hope, especially those heavy in Greenskin population, prepare for the Slugger Festival.

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Victoria Day, 625 : Visitors From Afar

Spring turns to summer and the Peoples of Armonia brace for a heated season.

On Solaris, obsidian glades hold back the tide of sand that has arrived with the great stone ship. Solianna assures all that unlike the storm, stone will last. With the Baron yet to put forward a valid alternative and Sir Melchiorre missing, the Elves of the Isle warrily rely on the Lady’s word.

At Daggerford, a new ship docks. Flying similar flags to the previous it bears the same design language but on a larger scale. From the ship come dignitaries that are as social as the previous were reserved. Daggerfords citizens warmly greet the visitors, then grow sullen as local taverns are drunk dry.

The devastating attack on Mork’Rast, and the petrification of its inhabitants has resulted in calls for capture of those responsible; but the only two known members of “The Blooded”, one Ruul Goredrinker and one Kanoth Spinebreaker, have proven impossible to locate. Their continued freedom has resulted in some angry citizens of Gaius demanding the expulsion of all Goblinoids from the County. While the Nobility has not taken such severe measures, reports are that a number of Goblinoids have been taken into custody for their “own protection” only released after the Sheriff deemed it safe. 

Noble order has confined the wizard Roqfalier to his hometown but suspicions about him have spread far across Hope. Nonsensical glyphs and imitations of writing have crept into works as far south as Vernatti. Blame for this strange presence from a stranger frontier waits on the wizard’s doorstep.

Research into what has been discovered to be crystalized magic has progressed rapidly. Fenwick is confident in his finding, but less so in containment measures. The scholar has found a prosing lead and waits on the Gathering to explore it.

Due to the efforts of adventurers, a possible cure for the parasitism that has driven Armonians mad has been developed. The creation of long hours, the breakthrough could stop the infection before it spreads further.

In the Estate of Primrose, the Armonian Archaeology Society continues work on the newly discovered ruins. Dubbed The City of Petals explorations have already uncovered a clockwork creature. The exploration of the lower hallways promises further wonders.

Jürgen’s Lode Mine is up and running. Locals hope for iron but are cautious of Deep Rock’s reputation for delving greedily and dangerously.

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