The Emperor Arril declares martial law across the whole Empire, even the City of Valdran. Tonight, and every night until further notice, curfew will be in force, and anyone outside who is not an authorised member of the military will be summarily executed. Anyone bitten by a wolf will be cured free of charge by the Temple of SARAN.
Rumours have been circulating for the past week or so that something very Chaotic happened in the Dungeons back on 13 Sarm, that the adventurer Forts mounted an expedition to investigate, and that the authorities are now suppressing any information on the subject. It is also said that the Pirates were somehow involved.
There have been a number of raids by City Guards on waterfront brothels and other dens of iniquity in ports all around the Great Ocean. The authorities deny any connection, but the word is that they are seeking a Chaotic who escaped from whatever happened in the Dungeons. The raids have proved embarrassing for a number of high-ranking persons, whom local rumourmongers have been keen to identify. In the great port city of Hapral in Valdrea it is expected that today's declaration of martial law will provide the excuse for a further crackdown tonight. If the Army attempt to enter the unofficial no-go areas around the waterfront, a bloody confrontation could result.
Last night, as widely predicted, the commoners round the waterfront in Hapral openly flaunted the declaration of martial law. The City Guard, supported by conscript militia, attempted to enforce the curfew, and riots resulted. By dawn it was apparent that the Empire was unable to enforce the law throughout its second city, by night at least. Further troops moved in during the day.
There are reports of skirmishes in the forest in the South Eastern Empire between the Badlander raiders and Imperial scouting forces.
Last night the Imperial forces in Hapral did not attempt to enter the waterfront area, where riots and noisy celebrations took place in the streets. Rumours circulate that Priests of DALA openly held a service in an abandoned SARAN Temple, calling on the Badlanders to come to their aid. During the day the City Guard and Imperial Army cordoned off the area. The local merchant community were demanding they secure the docks.
It is now reported the Badlanders have disappeared from the forest.
The Imperial Army moved into the Hapral waterfront at sunset of the 9th. They were unopposed, but as they patrolled the streets after dark they were sniped at from the rooftops, and took casualties. The SARAN Temples have been secured, but the Empire's hold on the area is still tenuous.
The Badlanders emerge from the Greenwoods in North Western Valdrea, a month after they left the area. The Valdrean armies encircling the forest have dispersed, but there are still sizeable forces in the area, and a battle ensues. McAndar's army takes casualties, but defeats its opponents and heads for the town of Tharis.
A sizeable Valdrean force is now tied down in the waterfront area of Hapral. Raids have been made on suspected dens of thieves, and troublemakers have been publicly executed. But nighttime attacks on the army continue, and trade is seriously disrupted. Crime is on the increase in Valdran too, and the Thieves Guilds have become more active elsewhere in the Overworld.
22 Jerem will be Founders' Day in Kuntax. The latest betting for the Founders' Day Derby, the biggest horse race of the season, is as follows:
| Call Lightning | 3:1 |
| Vorpal Blade | 4:1 |
| Golden Arrow | 4:1 |
| Wind Walker | 5:1 |
| Zenda | 6:1 |
| Morning Mist | 9:1 |
There are 17 other runners. Ask your bookmaker for the latest odds on the outsiders.
The Badlander army reaches the town of Tharis in Greenwoods Province of Valdrea. There they encounter a sizeable Valdrean defensive force, which has fortified the town, and includes many adventurers and SARAN Clerics. Lord Marshal Tindral of Gytrasan commands the defenders, who are largely made up of Arril's infantry army which has been chasing the Badlanders since the Spring plus elements of Tindral's defenders of the River Dafrack line, established 4 Sarm. Most of the civilian population has been evacuated across the Dafrack.
Two waves of Badlander assaults are firmly repulsed, but Tindral lacks cavalry, and does not follow up his success. He holds firm in the town, whilst McAndar's forces retire to lick their wounds as night falls. Further raids by Badlander adventurers during the night are just as firmly repelled.
The latest betting for the Kuntax Founders' Day Derby on 22 Jerem is as follows:
| Call Lightning | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Vorpal Blade | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Golden Arrow | 4:1 |
| Wind Walker | 5:1 |
| Zenda | 6:1 |
| Morning Mist | 8:1 |
There are 17 other runners.
During the night the Badlander army at Tharis disappeared into the woods, covered by the adventurer skirmishes. Tindral sent out scouts in the morning, and just found a few wounded guarding the camp, who were summarily executed as Chaotics. The defenders in the town were kept on full alert, but there was no sign of the main Badlander force.
The Temple of SARAN in Valdrea has issued a further warning that the Badlanders are using Chaos, and that everyone should behave absolutely Lawfully, to prevent them appearing in their area. The people are rather more convinced. Some have taken to felling trees, to make the woods more orderly.
As yet there are no reports of a reappearance of the Badlanders.
It is widely-rumoured that this evening the Governor of Hapral Province held secret talks with prominent figures in the troubled waterfront area of the City.
The latest betting for the Kuntax Founders' Day Derby on 22 Jerem is as follows:
| Call Lightning | 7:2 joint favourite |
| Vorpal Blade | 7:2 joint favourite |
| Golden Arrow | 7:2 joint favourite |
| Wind Walker | 4:1 |
| Zenda | 5:1 |
| Fine Delusion | 6:1 |
| Morning Mist | 10:1 |
It is shaping up to be one of the closest races for years. There are now 15 other runners.
There is a great storm high up on the North Slope of Mt. Anar, where the Dwarves battle for the liberation of Heaven. It is said that KSARAZH, the Deadly Wind, a Demigod of TERRIK, attacked in support of an orcish offensive on the surface of the Dungeons, but was repelled when SARAN Higher Powers intervened. In the sea far below Dwarven ships search for survivors (They say it takes more than a 500 mile fall into the ocean to kill a Mountain Dwarf Paladin, and it does give him time to take off his plate armour!).
The curfew remains in force in Hapral, but the troops are pulled out of the waterfront area. Despite this, the area remains quiet. The word in the taverns is that the Thieves' Guild are now maintaining the law, and are working with Imperial spies.
In the morning several DALA worshippers who came into the open in Hapral in recent days are found floating in the harbour with their throats cut.
The Dwarves have re-established control high up on Mt. Anar, and CAERULAS is shining again.
It is reported that the Badlanders have taken the town of Basren, in the woods of High Yarmen Province, and that the local populace have either defected to their cause or have surrendered to avoid their town being sacked.
There are also rumours of a Badlander force having appeared in the Vale of Caladuin, to the South West of the Valdrean Empire. It is said that skirmishes have taken place with High Elven riders.
Lord Marshal Tindral of Gytrasan has moved his base to the town of Cieri in Iscar Province, downstream of Basren on the River Yarmen, and is gathering together local forces to retake Basren. Geyorl in High Yarmen Province is also under tight Valdrean military control, and woods are being burnt all around the town.
The latest betting for the Kuntax Founders' Day Derby on 22 Jerem is as follows:
| Call Lightning | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Vorpal Blade | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Golden Arrow | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Wind Walker | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Zenda | 4:1 |
| Pirate's Fancy | 6:1 |
| Fine Delusion | 7:1 |
| Morning Mist | 11:1 |
It is shaping up to be one of the closest races for years. There are now 14 other runners.
Valdrean Noble Champions and adventurers made a night-time assault on the Badlanders occupying Basren, with inconclusive results.
22 Jerem is Founders' Day in Kuntax. The final betting for the Founders' Day Derby, the biggest horse race of the season, was as follows:
| Call Lightning | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Vorpal Blade | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Golden Arrow | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Wind Walker | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Zenda | 3:1 joint favourite |
| Pirate's Fancy | 5:1 |
| Fine Delusion | 5:1 |
| Morning Mist | 9:1 |
| Doppleganger | 9:1 |
The extraordinary betting was the closest for years. There were 12 other runners.
The result was a dead heat between Call Lightning and Golden Arrow, with Zenda so close he could only be separated by the judges' magic. Vorpal Blade and Wind Walker collided with each other whilst leading, and failed to finish. The announcement of the result was delayed due to a stewards' enquiry. The rumour on the streets is that there were suspicions of Chaos having interfered with the result. According to the Temple of SARAN, however, all horse races are Chaotic.
The punters' speculation now turns to the Guilds and Temples Cup in Tehmor on 6 Oscow.
The Badlander force in the Vale of Caladuin is heading North, towards the forested foothills of the Western Range. But their light cavalry is being outmaneuvered and outshot by the High Elven riders.
A further Valdrean adventurer raid on Basren is driven off by the Badlanders.
All sorts of rumours are circulating in Bjarmigen and elsewhere about how harmless people who just happen to worship Chaotic Gods get slaughtered by the Valdreans. One such story tells of unlucky TIPRE babies being massacred in the Valdrean military occupation of Geyorl in High Yarmen Province.
Lord Marshal Tindral of Gytrasan marches out of Cieri at the head of a Valdrean army to retake Basren from the Badlanders. But it is a 300 miles journey upstream into the borderlands of the Western Provinces.
Invitations and proclamations go out inviting all and sundry to come to the Temple of DALA in Bjarmigen at two hours before midnight on the 25th for a party in honour of the liberating forces of the Badlanders, to cheer on their attempts to free the Valdrean people, and to protest at the Valdrean cruelty against Chaotics. There will be a prize for the most lookalike wolf mask. Free drink will be provided, and an entertaining evening is guaranteed. The word on the street is that a “special visitor” from the front line will be attending, but this is vigorously denied by the Temple of DALA.
The latest betting for the Guilds and Temples Cup in Tehmor on 6 Oscow, the next big horse race of the season, is as follows:
| Call Lightning | 4:1 joint favourite |
| Golden Arrow | 4:1 joint favourite |
| Desert Wolf | 5:1 |
| Pirate's Fancy | 6:1 |
| Forty-First Faction | 8:1 |
| Mirror Image | 8:1 |
| Fine Delusion | 9:1 |
| Morning Mist | 10:1 |
There are 6 other runners. After the extraordinary events of the Founders' Day Derby, betting is heavy, and the odds are changing constantly.
Rumours are emerging from the North West Forest that on 6 Jerem 2503 (a night of Full Moon and the last day of Spring) as the wolves were howling crazily, all fired up by the red wolf-shaped shooting star of 20 Varech, a frightened young yearling stag fled startled from the howls, like a white streak in the twilight. There were several sightings that night of the Return of the White Stag, that most enigmatic of symbols of the North West Forest. The rumours are now spreading faster than the stag ran. The forest orcs are hunting the White Stag. Glersh the Dread has offered a reward, which might be gold, a magic item, a Demon Power, elven women to rape, or all four. The White Stag has to be taken alive, and brought (without eating it) to the Hell Well town of Vaken (taken by Harrek of Grinen 11 Lastra 2502), to the abandoned camp of Tarost, or to a secret location in the Deep Forest. The Aldalië (elven Druids of the Sacred Grove) are also offering a reward, which might be jewels, a magic item, a Druidic Power, willing elven women and boys, or any three. The White Stag has to be saved from the orcs, and brought safely to the Sacred Grove, or to some secret stone circle. The White Stag has already been captured, or killed. The wolves have it. The Seekers of the Lost are back. There are as many conflicting stories as there are rumourmongers to tell them, or adventurers and forest orcs to follow them.
Betting for the Guilds and Temples Cup in Tehmor on 6 Oscow is officially suspended, amidst allegations (mainly from the Temple of KOROS, who are supposed to oversee fair betting) that someone is using Chaos to manipulate the odds. Most of the favourites were now being offered at 6:1. However unofficial bookmaking continues, and the race is still scheduled to go ahead, with the Temples of SARAN and KOROS being employed to ensure no magical interference.
The Badlander force in the Vale of Caladuin is being broken up and massacred by the High Elves. There are tales of fierce, tall Elves on huge horses with flaming swords shouting that they are Defenders of the Forest as they berserk through the forest killing anything human they see. Other reports speak of the Badlanders being cut down by arrows from opponents they never see. Elvish sources say they are merely escorting the invaders from their territory, and any arrows are simply encouragement. Valdrean light cavalry is moving South West from Torel Province to finish off any who are escorted that far.
The frenzy of unofficial betting on the Guilds and Temples Cup continues. The word from the Tehmor waterfront is that Desert Wolf will be swept to victory by the Forces of Chaos. The horse was already a hot favourite, but now it has become almost impossible to find a bookmaker who will give odds on it.
Last night Krell McAndar evacuated his force of Badlanders and newly-recruited Valdrean Western Provinces rebels from Basren, torching the town behind him. Reports say they headed up the river to the South West, and disappeared into the forest in the direction of Fort Kostof. Local loyal Valdrean forces are attempting to reoccupy the town and put out the fires. Chaotic refugees flee into the forest up the other river, trying to save their babies from further slaughter and to avoid the forest fires. Tindral's relieving army is still some 200 miles away, around the confluence of the R. Yarmen and the tributary that flows down from Basren.
In the Guilds and Temples Cup in Tehmor, Pirate's Fancy won by a head over Golden Arrow. Desert Wolf (the unofficial hot favourite) was never in the running, despite the Full Moon. Angry punters are rioting in the streets. Anyone suspected of having bet on Pirate's Fancy is being lynched, including several innocent seamen, who just looked a bit piratical. Some say the riots were started by the City Guard, in order to dispose of a few undesirables.
The next big race of the season is the Citizens' Sweepstake in Vavistor, to be run next Saturday 12 Oscow. Most bookmakers have stopped publishing odds.
The Badlander Army reappears in Rilvar Province, once again eluding the Valdrean forces, and starts pillaging the area, despite some determined resistance from local militia.
The Citizens' Sweepstake in Vavistor proved as unpredictable and controversial as previous races. It was a close finish between two outsiders, on which there had been last minute heavy betting. The rumour is that a number of powerful bookmaking syndicates have spent serious amounts of money with the Assassins' Guild to track down whoever has been responsible for manipulating the results of recent races - supposedly a major Chaotic.
The Badlanders have disappeared into the woods again.
Nima, Magic Item dealer at Fort Venture, has revised his pricelist.
There are reports of sightings of the Badlanders in the forest to the West of West Post, near Fort Kostof. The Empire maintains strong standing forces here, to guard against the Bandits, and has Druidic scouts. It has gone onto the offensive.
After some intense speculation on the commodity market in Iklaron, several well-known merchants have been bankrupted. The uncertainty is spreading to the markets in other major ports and trading centres around the Great Ocean. In Kuntax and Valdrea, the authorities are intervening to maintain order.
The Badlanders have clashed with the Valdreans in the forest. There are conflicting stories as to what happened. The official word from the Empire is that a reconnaissance in force engaged elements of the enemy and withdrew in good order. The unofficial analysis of this is that the Valdreans were given a bloody nose.
The Empire reports that the Badlanders have been "driven off". Most people assume they have disappeared into the woods again. It is rumoured that the Druids are preparing to defend their sacred sites against a possible Badlander attack on Midsummer's Day.
is Midsummer's Day. Gather your mistletoe whilst you may. There are as yet no reported attacks by the Badlanders on Druidic Sacred Sites, as had been feared.
There are (unconfirmed) rumours that Glersh has reappeared in the North West Forest, and has been gathering a new army of orcs in the Upper Garf Valley. Harrek's Druidic scouts are said to have been watching and skirmishing with them.
At the next Full Moon, the Badlanders reappear on Kyr, in the dense woods of the Southern Cape, and ride out onto the Southern Uplands, threatening Gorreth. They are reinforced by werewolves and local Cultists. Most of the Kyrian army is still in the North.
The Badlanders appear outside the walls of Gorreth. They raid the faubourg, but are unable to breach the city walls, and ride off again into the forest to the North East. Kyrian forces are mobilised to pursue them.
A new young blood, Tarsus, has risen to the Championship of the House of Satril, and challenges Kyarlin of Heaven for the Command of Fort Venture. The Duel will be held at Fort Venture 1 Lastra.
The Badlanders disappear again.
Reports are emerging from the front in the Dungeons that the Forces of Evil have been using Chaos to break the deadlock, with variable results. Dwarven Paladins and Angels of SARAN have been sent in to restore Order.
Glersh rallies the orcs of the North West Forest at an “Orcmeet” at Horning Crags, threatening to raid the Badlanders. Meanwhile Badlander forces are sighted on Garf Lea, near the Old North Road.
Lord Marshal Tindral of Gytrasan and his second Valdrean army held in strategic reserve on Garf Lea confront McAndar and his small force of Badlanders along Skral’s Road. McAndar requests safe passage back to the Badlands, but the Valdreans are determined to bring him to battle and punish him for the raids. As McAndar dare not lose face in front of the other Clan Leaders by retreating, the Third Battle of Garf Lea takes place. By concentrating all their forces on their right flank, the Badlanders break through there. Tindral commits his reserves, but, despite taking substantial casualties, the faster Badlander light cavalry escape to the North West. Tindral's incompetence is widely condemned in Valdran, and several challenges for the Lord Marshalship follow.
On the edge of the Badlander Clan Territories Glersh and his orcs and trolls defeat a force led by the Clan Mistresses of Darnamach and Bardo. After this defeat, the defending Badlanders are only able to mount raids and skirmishing attacks on Glersh.
Tarsus, Champion of Satril duels Kyarlin of Heaven at Fort Venture for the Command of the Fort. Each has taken protective measures against the other's sword (flaming and vorpal respectively), but in the end Kyarlin beats Tarsus' defences, and beheads him (allowing him to regenerate).
Hugran, 2nd Champion of Tarm, defeats Tindral, Champion of Gytrasan, in a Duel for the Lord Marshalship of Valdrea. The other challenges are withdrawn.
Glersh is approaching Home River in the Karno Clan Territory. McAndar is onto Caldrick Moor, where a further Valdrean army awaits him on the River Caldro, this time led by Hugran of Tarm.
Remember, says the rumourmonger, you heard it from me first!
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