Demons Believed Responsible	Lorendan Government Collapses
by	by
Melliv Eofed	Johan Jorgenssen
6/16: Reports continue to filter in from the hinterlands of mysterious creatures who leave entire villages in ruins. These creatures leave no trace of their passing, and have resisted the efforts of baronial troops, levies, local militias and hired heroes. At the time of this writing, 8 villages have been reported destroyed. Counties Gallew, Ector, Longlade, Fannin, Gallatin and Fentress, have been hit by this unknown menace. The villages involved have been small, and the total loss of life is estimated to be less than 1,000. However, the leaders of both temporary governments express grave concern over these attacks. Consultation with various experts has given widely different theories as to the cause of this destruction. Meldin Zimmel, a Master Mage of the Mages Guild claimed that these attacks were obviously the work of a wizard, who worked several death spells on the populace, and was assisted by both golems and humanoid servants, most likely trolls. According to Meldin, these creatures working as a team could eliminate the villagers and any strong opposition, and leave little evidence. Said Meldin, "it isn't easy to kill those blasted trolls, no?". Most experts dismiss Meldin's theory. Based on the persistent rumors of "a creature harmed by neither steel nor fire" most believe these attacks to be the work of creatures not native to this world. The attacks seem to be limited to one village per creature. After destroying a village, the monsters apparently disappear completely, leaving no trace. This has baffled investigators, and lead to another theory that the attacks are the work of shape-changing dragons, who fly off after completing the destruction.	5/16: After months of voting, quarreling and open fighting after the death of the High Lord, the Lorendan government has dissolved. The representatives to the Senate have left the city, and no further action is being taken to elect a new High Lord.  After the controversial death of the High Lord by apparent poisoning, the Senate was convened to elect his successor. Problems immediately surfaced, when a third Lord could not be elected. After nearly a month of useless posturing and endless voting, some behind-the-scenes action by influential forces resulted in the election of Baron Jerald O'Ramey of Fannin county to be the newest Lord. This, however, was not the signal for progress to elect a new High Lord. If anything, the election of O'Ramey resulted in a more even split of the voting factions into 3 groups, none with the required 2 out of 3 votes to elect a High Lord. Neither of the two previous Lords, Jarryd Redmond or Dieter Angus had the required votes. Another month of endless voting, influence peddling and scheming resulted. The situation took a turn for the worse, when a minor scuffle between supporters of the two lords broke out at the Pig and Rooster tavern. In the ensuing melee, Baron Westmeister was slain, and various parts of his body were removed from the area.  Lorendan immediately became a battleground for the competing factions, with household troops and local supporters of each lord fighting in the streets. During these battles 2 more Barons were killed. Intervention by temple troops and the neutral Lorendan guard failed to stem the fighting, until each of the two Lords attempted to declare themselves the new High Lord. At that point, the followers of the two lords took themselves from the city and returned to their baronies, to prepare for civil war.  Continued....

Trade to D'nar Cut Off

Merchants in the city of Lorendan have reported that all trade has been cut off to the Dwarven kingdom of D'nar. Cargoes leaving the ports of Rhemuth have been captured or sunk by the Black Pirates. The losses have mounted to nearly all trade moving by ship to D'nar. With land routes cut off by the Western Confederacy, almost all routes to D'nar have been abandoned. Efforts by the Rhemuth and Confederacy navies to halt the pirates have been ineffective.

Most heavily hit have been the spice and wool cargoes leaving Lorendan. The merchants

who customarily trade with the dwarves have been forced to find other customers, or have lost a year's cargo to the pirates. Several have gone out of business, and more will soon follow if the trade routes are not restored.

Also affected are the weapon and armor smiths of Lorendan city. Without the high

quality steel and unfinished weapons that usually come out of D'nar, the smiths have been forced to rely on lower quality materials from Nerdri and Datri. The supply of ore from Datri is also reduced, due to the wars there over the past 3 years.

Trade Routes to Duranglith Affected

Similar problems have beset ships sailing to Duranglith from ports in both Wysh and Wy'yshan. According to merchants dealing in goods to Duranglith, nearly half of all ships leaving for Duranglith this spring have failed to arrive. This is nearly double the rate of ship disappearances from last summer and fall, and 4 times the normal losses. Unlike the ships lost along the western coast, there is no significant pirate activity to explain the losses. Warships from Wysh and Wy'yshan patrolling the Vast Ocean have reported lower than usual amounts of pirate activity.

Rumors persist that this may be the work of privateers working for the Empire. Despite the denials by the Duranglith ambassador, many ship captains claim they are the source of the ship sinkings. Rumors have also been heard that several small island chains in the ocean between Olerk and Duranglith have been

conquered by the Empire. If used as naval bases, these islands would be outside the normal range of warships from Olerk shores, and could cut off trade to Duranglith.

Civil War, Continued from Page 1

Lord O'Ramey and his supporters in Ector, Routt and Fannin counties retained control in Lorendan, with the support of the Lorendan guard and various temple troops. However, the Lorendan army has remained neutral, and army generals insist that the army will only serve a properly elected High Lord. Some units of the army loyal to Lord Angus or Lord Redmond have deserted to those forces.

At this time, the forces of the other two Lords have retreated to the respective Baronies, while each claims to be the only High Lord. This has effectively partioned the country into 3 parts. The counties of Fentross and Longlade are sure to become battle grounds this summer, as the competing forces fight for control of the Baronies of the slain Lords.

Already, masses of peasants are streaming into Lorendan City from the outlying counties, seeking protection from the battles to come. Only a reconvening of the full Senate, and a proper election can end what would seem to be certain civil war here in Lorendan.

Barbarians Raid Border Towns

by

Melliv Eofed

5/16: Reports have come in from a number of counties of heavy barbarian activity along the southern border. These raids seem to be carried out by several different tribes working independently. The border humanoids do not appear to be taking part in these raids.

Most of the raids were contained by the army forces stationed along the border. Only in two towns did the barbarians inflict serious damage. The towns of Kemoss and Riverton were nearly destroyed in surprise raids. In both cases, supposedly friendly barbarians living in town assisted their brethren from the Lands in taking and burning the local keep, along with much of the towns. The local army units were routed in the surprise attack, and were nearly destroyed. Merchants arriving from Wysh have reported similar attacks in that country, but the vigilance of the Knights of the Lamp have prevented serious damage.

News from Afar

Dragons Assault Wy'yshan

From Northern Wy'yshan have come rumors that colored dragons are on the rampage. Like the Lorendan countryside, the Northern Province of Wy'yshan appears to be beset by monsters. According to reports reaching the city, several small towns and many villages have been destroyed in a number of dragon attacks. Troops have been dispatched to the area to fight the dragons, but stand little chance of succeeding without professional help.

Elsewhere.....
Rover ships have been spotted off the coast of Rhemuth by merchants, fishermen and ships of the Rhemuth navy. It is not known what the Rovers are doing this far from their home ports, or from their normal trading partners in the south of Olerk. None of the ships have stopped in Rhemuth ports.

News from the South
In the southern half of Olerk, the divided kingdoms of North and South Tasnut have rejoined under a single king. Apparently a tragic accident left the throne of South Tasnut vacant. The throne was claimed without incident by the current King of Tasnut, who descended from the same royal line that previously held the throne of the joined kingdom. The joined realms have once again assumed the name 'Empire of Tasnut', and have laid claim to lands currently belonging to nearby kingdoms. It is certain that they plan an invasion, but which of their neighbors will be the target is unknown.