The Sacrifice

The Current Events

It is now the 3rd Moon Cycle of the year 765 AS. The first rays of the Spring sun have begun to shine through the grey, cold clouds of Winter. The town’s efforts to provide for the new influx of citizens has meant that few perished in the cold, dark months, but the lack of proper housing in Mistvale has proven for a wet Winter. House Laurent remains in control of the region, but only barely, due in large part to Silas Laurent, the son of Ludmilla, stepping in as Lord Pro Tempore. The witchcraft activity that was so vicious during the Summer of 764 abated for reasons unknown. Rumors still persist within Mistvale that someone is in league with these creatures, but no one has been able to provide any proof. The Laurent town of Carran, and the Falconer town of Arcton, struggle through the Winter and more than a few have died because of tight food stocks and illnesses. The towns largely remain on lockdown with little trade going on and, in some cases curfews. The Hardinger keep of Ironhaven continues construction and has hosted no one as guests save those of Dusklander blood. It turns out neither the witches nor the Crows needed to continue their efforts in earnest, they just needed to do damage to the populace and then let nature take its course in doing the truly cruel work.

Despite the Crows’ rather bold attacks against the town of Mistvale at the last Market, the bandit gang seems to have also had their activity dampened by the Winter’s months. It seems there has risen among them one named Cale the Thorn, a particular radical member that seems to have an axe to grind with some citizens of Mistvale. This has likely been a relief to the local Mistvale leaders, including the Burgomaster Domitille and the Sheriff, Ake Dagson. Taxes have been regularly flowing from the hamlet and into Laurent coffers and construction on several new buildings has begun in earnest. But not all diplomacy has gone smoothly. A particularly rowdy Court session at the last Market saw a man named Henri was accused of her murder and apparently avoided the wheels of justice when an exact doppelganger of him was also then accused of the crime. The town Judge did not take action against either man and both walked free. It seems Eldreth of the Cirque’s murderer remains at large, a point which did not sit well with the Cirkey sent to see justice done, Rook of the Ironbloods.

The Annwyn also received an honored guest in the form of Lady Jane Swallowsong, Captain of the Albatross Doom. There are persistent rumors now that the Rourkes have set up their own enclave somewhere in the Annwyn, but thus far they have not revealed its location. Equally mysterious are the Seaborn’s motives and goals. There are a few who say, as always, that the Rourkes are taking their ‘fair share’ of the opportunity, but it remains to be seen if the presence of Jane Swallowsong heralds some larger political move by the fleets.

Though there clearly is still a witch presence in and around Mistvale, the town still remains relatively untouched by their dark crafts. Signs of the witches remain in the area, including a massive shrine that was erected not far outside the town’s border. This still has caused many outside to look upon the town’s residents with some distrust. This is particularly true of the Aurorym, who made their encampment not far from Mistvale. Though scant on supplies, the majority of the faithful survived the Winter. However, with stores running low a good number of the Aurorym are gaunt and haggard from hunger. This has only increased the desperation and the zealotry that was already present. Last Market the faithful branded themselves as a demonstration of their faith; some wonder fearfully what is next? There are rumors that some of the faithful in the town have seen these acts and begun to question the length to which their own faith will go in service to the Dawn.

Despite this newfound zealotry of the Aurorym, fear makes for a potent motivator to find religion and more than a few of the local populace have flocked toward the Aurorym camps, seeking answers, cures and protection. Fewer choose to join the so-called Wytch Cults which are still present in the Annwyn but some people, by choice or otherwise, have thrown themselves on the mercy of their leader, the Dark Mother. There are also persistent rumors that the allegedly immortal Living Saints of the Dawn have come to the Annwyn. Both factions seem to have been more muted in the recent moon cycles and it seems to be that the powers of Mistvale have been exerting resources to provide a calming influence against worser things both groups might do.

There remains no official word from the Innis or Aragon houses nor have their settlements been located. The Laurent and Hardinger soldiers have all but given up in searching for their settlements and have now settled into a largely defensive posture, especially in the Winter. There has been a bright spot on security around Mistvale as the Silver Company, a mercenary group, has stepped up to take regular patrols around the town and on the surrounding roads. This has led to a rather drastic reduction in local attacks, though even the Silver Company has not avoided bloodshed with the Crows. Beyond the immediate area of Mistvale, roads are just as dangerous as they were last year. This bodes ill for the region as Spring comes and commerce travel now resumes.

Outside the Annwyn

Those who are arriving from outside the Annwyn may have heard some of the following rumors about the Kingdom of Arnesse:

1. Winter forestalled much of the pending conflict in the Sovereignlands over Giles II demanding that his House submit to the faith. The King has gathered his loyal nobles to him, and they have begun to gather an army at Highcourt. That army consists of troops from vassals who have remained loyal to the King, including House Bannon of Coventry, House Laurent, House Bannon of Dorston, and House Cornwall (see below). The houses who have stood behind Charles Bannon are House Blackwood, House Marston, House Holt, and House Hawthorne. They currently are gathering a large army at Caer Caddock and are planning to march to war in the Spring. It remains unclear if the rebel Bannon army will march on Highcourt or attack the Sovereignlands in an attempt to draw the King out.
2. The Queen is indeed with child and over the Winter, Charles Bannon has declared himself the rightful King of Arnesse and that his son, Ser Blake Bannon, is his heir. Giles II has, of course, declared his unborn child as his rightful heir and both King and Queen are hopeful for a healthy pregnancy. That Aline Bannon is pregnant with a child makes Giles II’s claim to the throne stronger at the moment. But if he were to not have an heir, it might imperil his claim amid this tumultuous time and see other nobles defect from the King’s side to that of Charles.
3. Despite its motto, House Cornwall initially seemed ready to turn its back on Giles II. Lord Cornwall has long been a friend of Charles Bannon and the old man seemed ready to break his oath. But Lord Cornwall’s son, Alion Cornwall, the Castellan of Laton and a radical Aurorym, was quick to welcome an army from Lord Paragon Frederick Blayne into his city. The army then marched, in Winter, toward Cornwall and forced Lord Astor Cornwall to abdicate his seat to his son. Caer Weatherstone is now under the control of forces loyal to the King. Lord Frederick continues to reinforce the army in Weatherstone with additional Vellatora and faithful.
4. Richter’s ten thousand strong army moved into the Vale of Shadow and conquered Gateway faster than any could respond to. The defenders of the ramshackle town quickly threw down their arms in the face of the sheer size of the army. A few put up a resistance but, by now, Gateway is under House Richter occupation. True to their word, the Innis moved a strong army southwest toward the Vale of Shadow. Their first target was the town of Hollowmere. The Richter sent a small force to attempt to impede the Woodfolk’s progress into the Vale, but they failed. Interestingly, as the Innis entered the Vale of Shadow, they were offered hospitality to camp on the lands of House Hawthorne by its Lord Roderick Hawthorne. Apparently, Lord Roderick saw the Richter army as an unlawful invasion of his lands and recognizing that he did not have enough troops to fight them off, he extended his hand to House Innis in friendship. This rare gesture was accepted and now the two stand as uneasy allies.
5. House Aragon and House Hale have yet to respond, though some of the northern elements of the faith that live among the Northmen have begun to imply that a decision about where House Hale will fall is close to being reached. Early in the spring, a rather large contingent of Corveaux knights was spotted as they were headed for the Vale of Shadow. At their head were the many resplendent banners of the many knightly orders of the Midlands. At their head, were the banners of the Ordo du Lac, or the Order of the Lake. The symbol of which is the legendary Golden Blade Auranthis. The implication of this is that the land needs a True King to return and unite a broken Kingdom. If this means the Corveaux do not stand with the King and the chaos he has wrought, is unclear but it is a sign they seek unity and not more war. However, they have made it clear to the Richters that if they do not abandon the occupation of Gateway and return to the Mistguard Compact, they will join the Innis and Hawthorne. The Richters have a powerful army but even they may not even be able to win that fight.