Week 3 News

Low on money but need supplies to explore the natural wonders of the Labyrinth?

Come and trade with the Collective of Kind Hands Helping One Another Thrive.

We do not want money. We will help you get what you need by trading with us that which you have excess of.

Let us help you today.

Please.

— A poster with drawings of smiling people on it

The Southern Empire is first to move into the Labyrinth with more than adventuring parties and diplomats. At order of Grand Duchess Amalina Kalliani, an outpost manned by a few dozen permanently stationed soldiers has been established in the Crystal Lakes. Amalina spoke briefly in public about the matter, saying that she hoped the outpost would 'supply and support' the expeditions of the Southern Empire and their allies, while promising that her advances would not infringe on the lives of the Labyrinth's residents.

Take these ruffians away! By Imperial decree, pirate vessels and their crew are to be detained for investigation and Imperial justice.

— Declaration of Laokirina Pantori, Ministry of the Navy, upon the seizure of a vessel off the coast of the Southern province of Kholeis

You ever seen pirates like that? I know some people fall on hard times and resort to it, but those sailors looked quite well-kept. The captain too, you saw him being taken away — don't look bloodthirsty at all. Mark my words, that's just a merchant ship, plain and simple. Oh there'll be hell to pay for someone doing this. At least for us. If we stop getting good Polonian wine from the North we'll have to resort to drinking the watered-down piss they make locally here. Shame!

— Conversation overheard at a dockside tavern

Rumours abound of disputes filed by Northern merchants against ships wrongly impounded for piracy in the Southern Empire. The grandees of the Northern Senate are said to clamour for retaliation against blatant provocation from Southern officials. The southern Ministry of the Navy reports only that it is taking ordinary action to secure the coastal waters of the Southern Empire, after a series of illegal incursions from northern vessels earlier this year.

Emperor Tai-An has issued orders to tribes patrolling the border with Nanteia to move northward into the Adratos region. This is a highly disputed area where border conflicts between the Northern and Southern Empires have been occurring. Some tribes are reported to be joining up with Southern Empire military regiments in the area and partaking in training exercises together. Many traders from Dolom report fear that they will run into the dreaded Zhi-Zhu tribe when going on routine trading trips to the Imperial City. Emperor Tai-An, however, has reassured people that all trade may continue as normal with the Land of Endless Sky.

The Legion announces that, following the cowardly attack upon the Wyrm's Maw Arena by unknown agents which resulted in the death of Guillaume Proulx, the Legion will be enacting stronger security procedures within all Legion territory. Non-Legion travellers venturing through or into Legion territory may be asked to explain the purpose of their journey. The Legion reserves the right to require either written permission or an approved Legion escort to pass through certain sensitive areas.

The Legion still desires to engage diplomatically with outsiders, and will continue to arrange pre-approved meetings and visits to Legion territory.

Those with nothing to hide have nothing to fear. Those who harbour plots against the Legion will be found, and dealt with.

“Have you seen him recently?”
“Not for months darling, its so unlike him. Usually he is such a sociable fellow. I hope he is well.”
“We would have heard if he had headed home, would we have not?”

—conversation overheard in Endless Sky encampment.

Posters are hung up around towns, and whispered rumours say that the Legion is offering a reward to anyone who explores a new chamber of the Labyrinth and is willing to report their findings to the Legion, with an even greater reward offered for those who have attuned to a chamber's Teleportation Circle and are willing to spend time transporting Legion forces.

“Have you heard whats happening in Bigha? Ghosts are attacking people they say. It's gotten so bad a bunch of the villagers have left. Crops ruined, livestock vanishing, unexplained screaming in the night. I'd have left already, that's to be sure”

— rumours overheard in the market regarding Bigha, a small village in eastern Kythara.

The duchess dons her favourite gown, shimmering in rivers of diaphanous lace. The young prince relaxes in the comfort of a silk shirt embroidered in symbols of his country. The master crafter, with an eye for detail, presses their lapels into place, noting the subtle shimmer of their fine metallic threads. A wolf-skin mantle settles easily onto the mercenary lord's shoulders, while her oathsworn guards proudly display their allegiance in fine robes bearing their company's crest. As the sun rises over distant hills, the world itself is dressed in golden hues. What we wear defines us. Who will you be today?

Bespoke clothing by Congealia's Exteriors: it's what's on the outside that counts.

3 Weave Avenue Ulane, & Labyrinth Market Street.

Simply everyone who is anyone must have a Congelia! That new fabric? Mesmerising! What will she do next?

Let heavy velvet or dark clouds blind my eyes,
blot out the light of pure love and devotion.
Carve the letter of the law upon my heart;
let the beating drum pump my blood as I walk
past lush rolling hills kissed by gossamer sunlight.
No matter, for I shall not see.

Speak your commands against my lips
so that I may taste them; elsewhile I hunger.
Your gnawing desire consumes my mind
as I present to you, on a platter.
Farmers plough rich earth while wives lay hearty tables.
No matter, for I shall not eat.

Deafen my ears to the sound of crying,
refine me to your tune alone.
Tell me the feeble hymn of my soul is merely water rushing
as it crashes down on glistening rocks.
The wind whispers to my heart as it whistles.
No matter, for I shall not hear.

Lands sprawl to the edge of the sea untrodden,
apart from the soldier's trudge.
Back-broken under the weight of borrowed wanting,
the ache of the heavens caresses my skin.
No matter, for it is not felt.

Yet here! In the adventurer's stride,
chin upturned to blinding light,
wand'ring crusted earth with heart full of pride,
deafened by the roaring sea of changing tides,
pledged blood freely in persuit of love;
heart thrumming with wildlife's buzz.
The unity of heart, hope, laughter, soul and mind
lead a sunkissed life under endless skies!

— Anonymous, widely attributed to the same author as the poem that took the Empires by storm some months ago.

Some writers of Thysera are calling this the start of a rebirth in political poetry, an art lacking since classical times. Others decry it as inelegant and too political.