Week 5 News

Henceforth, the Church of the Guardian is moving to assert in full its authority in military matters over the isle of Kythara, including over the Labyrinth. Expeditions into the Labyrinth under martial arms must be approved by the Church, regardless of their allegiance. Grandmaster Zellus has been named by the Principia as the primary authority on this matter, with plenary authority to approve or deny any action within the Labyrinth by external powers.

As expected, Grand Duchess Amalina Kalliani and Princess Tai-An Aolin have been wed, sealing an alliance between the Southern Empire and the Land of Endless Sky. They returned to Kythara together shortly after the wedding, to resume their current work.

The wedding was not entirely without incident. An assassination of the brides-to-be was attempted, believed to have been organised by rogue Northern elements in a last-ditch attempt to stop the union. Lord Harol and Empress Callistian have both publicly denied their involvement, but the identity of the would-be assassins as Northern soldiers is well attested. Their bodies have been returned to their families.

The following proclamation has been found posted around Kythara:

When We stole our share of the False Guardian's power, only the will of Kallia could save you. When We sundered your Empire, you had already forgotten Our name. Now, the last remnants of Her strength have been eroded, and your final act is upon you.

We have shown you Our contempt for your peace and compromises, and you have accepted it greedily. We have taught you the futility of defiance, and you have learned it meekly. We have turned your very shadows against you, and, at last, you have begun to remember.

The time for deception has ended. Your course is set, and nothing you can do will save you. We will have Our war. You will be broken, and Tharena will fall. For the Ordo Draconis is triumphant at last. All that remains is to assert our victory.

Once the last remnants of Accursed Tharena have been swept aside, We will have need for souls of ambition and foresight. Swear fealty to Our cause, and you will be duly rewarded. Refuse, and you will not even live to see your Empire's end.

To your Sovereigns, We say only this: relish your final years of power. Feud over your Crown, or heed the False Guardian's warnings. It does not matter. Kallia could not destroy Us, and your end has already been written.

Through whisperings around Ulane and the Market Street, mention is made of a defensive agreement between Dolom and many of the Allied Guilds. While the full details of the agreement are unclear, what is known is that members of the Allied Guilds are being offered an accelerated path to citizenship in Dolom, while incorporation of a new Exchangers Guild is offering reciprocal and easy access to the Labyrinth markets.

A wave of displeasure and agitation is hard to suppress and over the past months much grumbling can be heard from the tribes composing the Land of Endless Sky. Some of the Tribe Leaders are openly disdainful of the the match agreed for Princess Aolin, and are said to even have openly defied the Emperor in their calls against it.

Quieter rumours suggest that the dissent goes beyond the open defiance, and those that have made no vocal opposition still consider it a poor decision by the Emperor's Ministers. Many others are concerned that the influence of the Southern Empire will bring the Church of the Guardian to the Land of Endless Sky, at the expense of Za-Rin.

Some few zealous believers in the Church of the Guardian speak ill of Grand Duchess Amalina's marriage outside the Great Houses and, more notably, to a heathen. Although this is voiced mostly at the fringes of the Church in the Southern Empire, it is a strong voice nonetheless.

Believers at all levels of society are concerned that the foundations of the Empire falter even further and in these troubling times stray further from the Word of Kallia, further from the guidance of the Goddess.

“Hey Gaius, you work at the Forge, do you know why they've been venting so much over the last couple months? It used to just be twice a day, now it feels like it's every couple hours…?”

“Oh yeah, they got us working round the clock, upping production… swords, spears, plates for armour… we've made tonnes of the stuff…”

“But… what do they need all that for? Don't our soldiers already have gear?”

“Beats me… it's more than we could use, that's for sure…”

-one of many such conversations overheard in Primus

The Community Garden has now been cleared of Fire Moss. A sign that reads Community Garden Closed, however, still remains on the gate to the Garden.

The Word Keepers direct anyone with questions about the closure to talk to Brasse Kallianiskon.

The people of Bigha would like to thank the brave heroes that saved their village and allowed them to return home. A collection is being made to replace any losses from crops, livestock, and items lost during the attack. Re-homing efforts are being led by Word-Keeper Dromos.