A respected old merchant, Arsham Heavythumb, has died. She was the last of her house and her goods have been distributed to the other houses, as is custom.
The two resident troubadours of the taverns 'Milk Teeth' and 'The Stubborn Tankard' are preparing for an upcoming 'Duel of Wits!' The entire population is excited about this and extra gold is required to keep order between the supporters of the different troubadours.
A letter was received demanding compensation for the death of the Baryan merchant. Adequate compensation was sent, minus the expenses for seizing the robbers.
The bog ejects the bloated corpse of the Baryan trader and a few chests. The trader's body is hung at the edge of the Marsh to let other traders know they are not welcome. Life returns to the Marsh.
During the annual Festival, alliances between the Merchant Houses are renewed and strengthened. Freeblades are acquired and marriages are arranged resulting in land and resources. It is a very costly time.
An old letter was found in the bottom of the late nobles travel chest. The letter was addressed to some unknown relatives within the Barony of Loth. The letter is quickly burned and the old coins within are sent to the coffers.
A band of knights were provoking the Unseen Society to attack them. If they wont swear the Oath, their bones and essence might still be useful. Some Oathbound were sent to take care of them.
A giant bird's nest was found containing a large egg. It was accidentally dropped to the ground when hunters tried to reclaim it. It contained five pieces of ancient amber.
A group of Sages study the ancient ruins and share the glory of Rana past. The news spreads from campfire to campfire. The folk dream of a better future. The Marsh adapts.
An accident occurs at the ancient ruins. A dragon monument toppled and killed some of the explorers. The villagers spend a day in mourning. Life returns to the Marsh.
Exploring the Deep Marsh, Hunters come across ancient ruins and carvings that resemble Rana. The story spreads throughout the Marsh and the folk celebrate. The Marsh gives life.
Arsham Heavythumb's will has been found stating that her estate should go to an Arleon cousin. Merchant Law doesn't allow for a transfer of such wealth to another nation, and the remainder of her possesions are used to strengthen the battallions.
At the end of the rainbow, the searchers saw a bright purple glow that revealed a deposit of Celestial Ore. In some ways, this is better than the fabled pot of gold.
Barya
At the end of the rainbow, the searchers saw a bright purple glow that revealed a deposit of Celestial Ore. In some ways, this is better than the fabled pot of gold.
A strange dream has visited the sleep of a wielder lately. In it, a soft voice beckoned the wielder across the empty desert and whispered ancient secrets of how to wield Essence.
A strange, but potent dream has visited a wielder lately. In the dream, the wielder sat across the fire from an ancient dragon and the dragon whispered secrets of how to wield Essence.
A mysterious illness emerges in all villages with chicken coops. It spreads rapidly from camp to camp. Soon, all Rana are affected. Life returns to the Marsh.
On this day the Pipers bleet, the Hellbreaths boom and the night sky is filled with fireworks to celebrate another trip around the sun for anyone born this day.
Large stones with unsettling carvings have appeared near a settlement. Some say it is the Faey who placed them there to sow fear in the weak hearted. The stones were claimed for the benefit of the masons.
The old forester tracked the wolf back to its den to find pile of old bones and armour. The unseen society are more interested in the bones than the wolf as they set out to retrieve the bones.
Late at night, a sentry caught sight of a pocked man running across the fields with a big bag. The sentry swiftly shot him and lots of gold was found in the pocked mans possessions.
The militia have been building walls and fortifications. While they were gathering materials one of the old men fell into a mineshaft, he broke his legs but found an old deposit of Celestial Ore.
Villages with chicken coops are growing as this plentiful food source attracts more Rana and the spring welcomes many spawnlings. More spawnlings, more huts to be built. The Marsh gives life.
After hearing the wisdom of the elders, the chicken thief comes forward and returns the chickens. The thief is banished and their posessions are donated to the cause. Life returns to the Marsh.
A ball of fire streaks across the night sky. An elder travels the land proclaiming the comet signals the rise of Rana. Many see the comet and begin to learn the shaman ways. The Marsh provides.
The Unseen Society reintroduces the quaint tradition of Corn Maze. It provides amusement and fun for the subjects and admission brings in coin for the cause.
Counterfeit coins were discovered. Anyone with counterfeit coins was immediately indebted and their assets seized. That meant new assets for honest Merchants.
The journey in search of the Comet leads to a large crater and in its center is a giant chunk of Celestial Ore. The surviving scholars studied the Ore for months, but in the end it showed no sign of a new essence.
Scout discovered an abandoned crypt. The necromancers were pleased and turned those old bones into something useful. Scout was rewarded with a haunch of venison.
Baryans continue raiding the Marsh. Some hunters leave a false trail to the great misty bog. A week later the bog ejects armour, coins and weapons. The Marsh provides.
Dark clouds cover the land to the west. The peasants think it is an ill omen and refuse to work. Some troops are sent to remind them that dark clouds are much gentler than a sword.
Reports of farmers disappearing in thick mist have raised superstitious rumors about dark magic. It's been decided to supply lanterns to all remote villages, at their own expense, of course.
After much debate, the cultists determine that the double rainbow is a sign from Aurelia. So impressive is the sign that many new cultists are recruited.
A stranger boasted that they could find water in the desert using only a stick. Turned out they couldnt and the stranger was sold as an indebted to pay for the time he wasted.
New pipers work hard to impress the audience at the festival in order to get drafted by the best mercenary companies. Competiton has been known to lead to brawls between the competitors.
An elder wanders from camp to camp recounting tales of Rana heroes from the past. Inspired by these tales, younglings begin practicing their skills. The Marsh provides.
A wandering old hag was hosted at a nobles holding. At breakfast she told them about a dream of a mountain burning with blue fire and a pot of gold at its foot. After she left a single coin of gold was found in her bedding.
No one knows when the practice began, but on the Eve of the East Wind, the people of Loth leave offerings outside their homes and line their thresholds with salt.
The village of Elmshire has reported strange lights and music coming from the woods. The oldest villagers claim it is the Faey and warn folk to stay away. But some villagers presented gifts to the Faey at the Offering tree by the forests edge.
Those nasty Faey destroyed a village! The Oathbound were sent to salvage what they could and clear it for farmland. The barony has many mouths to feed.
The Hen has laid many more eggs but on the morning of the farmer's feast, the Hen was found dead. As a nice gesture, the hen was cooked and included in the feast. The feast is a great success.
Scout was trained by the many cultists and particularly likes playing fetch with the Oathbound. Some Oathbound fell apart when they lost too many bones.
After the Harima Brutes leave, a great fire can be seen deep in the desert and terrifying screams of pain can be heard from very far away. Those whove gone to investigate are never seen again.
Fireworks are set off for the finale of the Harvest Festival to the great delight of all. But there was an accident and a local granary was blown up. An investigation is ordered.
A great rush of water sweeps through the northern edge of the Marsh. The folk were prepared with their fishing nets and there was a great catch. The Marsh provides.
A young tinkerer, inspired by kites, develops a new pulley system for transporting ore from the deep mines and improving production. The local merchant houses pay handsomely for the new technology.
An ancient Chelun counsels that the disease is a punishment for bringing foreign goods to the Marsh. Some refuse to listen and there are many more deaths. Life returns to the Marsh.
A wild Ravager descends on the village looking for the chicks. The family is reunited and the wild ravager joins the herd, but not before the ravager does great damage to the village. Life returns to the Marsh.
The Guild of Tinkerers gifted mechanical birds to the mercenary battalions in recognition of a recent battle. Either the victory, or the mechanical birds, inspired more Baryans to become mercenaries.
The remaining explorers at the ancient ruins retrieve the bodies from under the ancient monument that toppled. Along with the bodies, a cache of treasure was discovered. The Marsh provides.
A Great Horned Owl makes its home in a guard tower. The Harima see it as a sign of good fortune but soon the falconry is empty and some Dreath pups have gone missing. A reward is offered to get rid of the Owl.
The Harima Brutes return from their secret desert rituals. Some are wounded, some bear new scars and burns, but all display more strength and fierceness than before.
Heavy rains wash away the salt and mark the end of Seventh Moon. The Rana are grateful for the seasonal bounty of food and salt. Many eggs hatch in the months following. The Marsh gives life.
A hermit, claiming to be a wielder, had gathered some locals to demonstrate his power. He did have power, but didn't know how to control it and he ended up killing them all. His belongings contained many interesting things.
The Ravager herd is growing fast and they break through the corral causing damage. The handlers build higher walls on the corral and reinforce the corral. The Marsh adapts.
Bards are hired to write songs and spread the tale of the village of Elmshire to warn other peasants not to trust the Faey. In Elmshire a shrine is built to remember the missing and sometimes, after a new moon treasure appears.
The archers study an ancient pamphlet on archery. They seem to learn something from it, the knowledge is passed from archer to archer throughout the armies.
Local peasants are terrified by a pack of wolves that have moved into the area, stealing their sheep. Some brothers of the Unseen Society are sent to investigate.
The hunting has been lean and the Ravagers are getting hungry. They break through the corral causing damage. The handlers share their rations with the beasts. Ravagers are too valuable to go hungry. The Marsh adapts.
At the local tavern, a wise old forester shared their tracking secrets with the brother of the Society. Hes paid for his services and the Oath is sworn.
A squirrel-hunter found some gems in a squirrel's nest. She told the tale at the tavern to the enjoyment of many. The jewels were later found in her belongings and confiscated.
Many knights have been jousting and training. The peasants are impressed and afraid of the strong knights. Many have volunteered gold for their protection.
On a cold foggy morning, just outside the castle gates, a troop of Oathbound were found patiently waiting. They had awokened and returned to restore the glory of the empire.
Reports come in of a landslide in the southern part of the realm blocking a trade route. The Oathbound clear the road and uncover an old cache of armour and relics from the time of Aurelia.
A patrol passed by an abandoned farm and found a half starved litter of puppies. They took them with them to the next town and gave them to grateful farmers. All except one. It was kept as a pet for the troops and named Scout.
Reports arrive of farmers being influenced by a traveller criticizing the nobles and putting thoughts of curses in their gullible heads. A bounty is put on the travellers head.
During the annual Festival, the heads of the most powerful Merchant Houses meet to renew their Alliance against foreign invasions, and to negotiate pricing for the year ahead. There is great profit in this.
During the annual Festival, the charter of Merchants is decided. There are a limited number of memberships. The weakest Merchant houses are absorbed into larger houses and their assets put to good use, usually as indentured servants.
The troubadour from 'Milk Teeth' was victorious. Some would say she sounded glorious. Her rowdy rhymes of rotting teeth, roused the audience and she won a wreath.
The cultists circulate a pamphlet describing the many signs left by the Great Empress Aurelia. They visit even the smallest villages to share their theories.
The local farmers are starting to see the benefit of worshipping Aurelia. Less border hostilities with nearby baronies and the protection from the undead army have lead to a peaceful growing season for them and a greater tax collection for the barony.
The rain continues and the pits fill with water. The diggers stop work but they catch many eels in the pits now that they are filled with water. The Marsh adapts.
A pocked man has been seen skulking around the villages of the land. There are rumors of ill times to come. Extra wood is gathered to keep the fire in the hearths burning.
After a season of training and drills, the pikeneers from many companies form an annual parade to show off their precise coordination. Crowds come from all over to watch these impressive displays and wave flags for their favourites.
A patrol stumble upon a village in celebration. They quickly find out what the ruckus is all about. A hen has layed a solid golden egg. The egg and the hen were swiftly claimed for the realm's profit.
An observant cultist studied the puppet show and connected the Puppet Master with the local unrest and the missing Oathbound. All puppet shows were cancelled, the puppets are reclaimed and the regretful Puppet Master swore the Oath.
A puppeteer travelled from market to market telling heroic tales of the mighty Oathbound to the children and teaching them the honor of the Oath of Aurelia.
Inspired by the Puppet shows, children around the kingdom began making their own Oathbound puppet shows. Several Oathbound went missing wherever the puppet shows took place.
A frogling from Rana was found chanting on the river bank. Dressed in tatters this frail shaman soon perished. An artifact was found in his ragged leather sack.
A frogling from Rana was found chanting in the woods. Oathbound were sent to investigate and they immediatly attacked and killed the frogling. There seemed to be an ancient command from Aurelia about the annihilation of all Rana.
A Rana frogling was found chanting near an oasis. Dressed in tatters this frail shaman soon perished to the Harima interrogators methods. An artifact was found in his ragged leather sack.
Some cultist were sent to investigate why the Rana were in the nearby woods. Their purpose remains a mystery, but a strange crypt was discovered with dragon carvings on the outside and treasure on the inside.
A clever Scholar realized that the reclusive toxoligist, Malerence Tenic, had kept a small lab in the village that was destroyed by the Faey. The earth had been polluted by the lab when the Faey attacked.
Having found the treasure the skull whispered of and seeing no further use for it, the skull was sold to a travelling merchant who expressed an interest in things like that.
An old temple has been located and searched. A wise Chelun has helped identify the most important items and the history behind them. The Marsh provides.
The Baryans have become too bold. Its time they were taught a lesson. Storm Guards execute a successful raid. The people are inspired. The Marsh provides.
A large force of Baryans is seen approaching the swamp. Their path leads them directly through the Crawler breeding grounds. Life returns to the Marsh.
A rockfall blocks a stream endangering the farms that rely on the water. Some Oathbound are sent to clear away the rockfall and reinforce the stream bank. The locals are impressed.
A Baryan Sassanid together with a Tinkerer were resposible for the explosion. Hiring fireworks specialists from Barya was, in hindsight, not a good idea. But the spies had been well paid and that gold is now confiscated.
The layer of salt left behind from the Seventh Moon high tide attracts many creatures of the Marsh and the Rana hide in their huts. Beware the wild Ravagers. The Marsh adapts.
The Rana collect the salt left behind by the receding waters of the Seventh Moon high tide. This valuable resource helps preserve fish and other foods. The Marsh provides.
The journal of an ancient wielder is found in the trunk of old books. It shares some interesting theories of Necromancy and has been sold to a collector of rare books for a handsome sum.
A seer travels to the village cursed with nightmares. She discovers the watersource has been tainted by some old leaking barrels. The villagers remove the barrels and discover treasure inside. The curse is lifted. The Marsh adapts.
A herd of sheep was slain in the dark of night. The herder was punished for sleeping on his shift but the locals now fear what is hiding in the darkness. On the upside, the sheep skins were sold for a bit of gold.
The villagers report that the Baryan raiders took captives. The folk remember the days of slavery and demand retribution. A party of hunters is formed to recover the Rana. The Marsh adapts.
The wandering black clad woman has been found dead, with several stakes piercing her body. Her belongings are redistributed. But it seems that she, in death, has uttered a curse!
Farmers were sent to the newly cleared land but they complained about a bad smell and strange ailments. Some died and many of them abandoned the farms.
The knights were defeated and their bodies donated to the scholars for study. Their armor was of good quality and kept in compensation for the trouble they caused.
A wandering merchant was caught trying to cheat the locals. He was swiftly judged for his crimes and his goods - various exotic resources - were seized.
The hen that was claimed has laid many golden eggs but letters have been received from the village asking for its return. Preparations are made for a feast to reward the villagers for their 'gift' to the realm.
A visiting scholar reveals some secrets of the neighboring Barony in exchange for access to the library. This information will be useful in future conflicts.
The troubadour from The Stubborn Tankard did not claim the wreath for which he hankered. But for his clever rhyme of Nail and Hale, he was awarded many flagons of the best pale ale.
The thief turns out to be a young noble, bored with life but not fit to be a knight. Putting their talents to good use, they're sent on a trade mission to Barya. There those skills are put to good use.
The brothers from the Unseen Society report that the wolf tracks were washed away and they found nothing. However, the peasants were grateful for the attempt and saw the benefit of joining the society.
A trader from Barya travels through the swamp with a brightly colored wagon filled with useful tools, woven blankets and candy. They trade for mushrooms and plant dyes. The Marsh adapts.
A Baryan traders brightly colored wagon is found mired in the bog. There is no sign of the Trader but the wagon and contents are salvaged. The Marsh provides.
A troupe of entertainers have been going from tavern to tavern, spreading laughter and joy throughout the lands. The troops now have high spirits for coming battles.
The bog ejects a trunk of old books and scrolls. Some of the scrolls have runes similar to some old carvings in the marsh. Theyre brought to the Chelun for further study. The Marsh provides.
Two villages feud over stolen chickens. Lives were lost. A travelling Shaman reminds the villagers that violence should be directed at the invaders and not each other. Life returns to the Marsh.
An old skull that was kept locked up in a chest has started whispering about treasures buried a long time ago. Following the directions a small treasure is found.
A travelling merchant brings a strange whispering skull to the scholars of the Unseen Society. After learning of the glory of Aurelia, the Merchant donates the skull and gold to the scholars.
A white eagle has been soaring over the armies. Widely considered a good omen, the troops will rush to fight for the cause next time they are challenged.