Work in Progress...

As summer came, the day rose not unlike the others before it.  Birds were chirping, the clouds had parted letting in the rays of early afternoon beat through and, the town of Bad Holzbrück slowly stired into motion.  It would not be long before the first caravans were sceen beyond the farmer's fields as they neared the site of Mitraspera's greatest festival, the Convent of the Elements. Yet this Convent was different.  This Convent would be bittersweet.  Among the letters from and the preperation for the journy south to Sarkan remained the looming truth that the Tribes of Mitraspera would meet there fate at Convent's end.

Work in Progress...

End of the Tribes?

The Elemental Tribes of Mitraspera have stood the test of time and have guided us since our first steps on the shores of Mythodea. Mitraspera herself had spoken to us some years past and foreshadowed her doom and the end of the tribes. The mythic continent of Mitraspera required what was once given. She asked for the tribes to return and be one with her once more. 

Thousands of settlers cried out any way they could since that day and begged Mitraspera for another way, but no other path was given. Mitraspera needed the life she had given to create the tribes back so she could survive long enough for the rest of the living to save her from her demise. Although the will of the masses were against it, at this year's Convent of the Elements, that day finally came. 

Mitraspera manifested a body with which we could communicate, and the tribal peoples could embrace. She spoke with them, and she spoke to us. She welcomed every tribal member individually into her all-encompassing embrace. Some tribe's people welcomed their fate gladly while others scorned it, but they did what was demanded. One final gesture was permitted, and some used it for one final call back to the children of Mythodea they had educated and broke bread with for so many years. Some used their time for a gest to bring hope while others used it to say one name of the person who relieve their echo. The settlers cried out for their loved ones among the tribe's folk. Even the children were in mourning as Mitraspera took them one by one. 

When the last of the tribespeople joined with Mitraspera, Mitraspera had much to say before she too returned to slumber. She told us what was to be done in Sarkan. We were to find that key to her survival in the 3rd Sister. This we knew. She then offered us gifts such as the chance to escape death should we still have work left to do. And she left us with the memory of what she had gifted Mitraspera so long ago, the Tribes. Then, her manifestation returned to the land and the gathered masses began to depart.

That was, until someone heard something at the forest's edge near Bad Holzbrück. A Naldar? No, three of them? A Sipho? A Narech'Tuloch? How? Why? Some had been returned to us. Some still lived!

New Alliance!

The Western Seal, Märkischer Bund, Southern Seal and Duchy of Validar have entered a formal alliance.  This comes after resolving conflicts followed by having worked together toward common goals over the past few years.  The Duchy of Validar offered mayoral districts last year to these allies in the city of Bennedictshaffen. This led to further cooperation between allies and has culminated in an official military alliance. 

While The Ambassador continues to hunt down the details, one thing is true.  The allies are not hiding their union.  Leaders of all four courts were seen sitting at the same table at the ruler's council and for the most part, voting for the same agenda points.  We are assured there is no cause for alarm as there are many more than 4 Realms of Mythodea represented on the ruler's council.  Lands such as the Northern Seal, Realm of Roses and Fortress of Diversity will surely balance the scales.

New Realms of the Ruler's Council

Every year the leader's of Mitraspera meet at Bad Holzbrück on neutral ground for the Ruler's Council. The Council plays host to the most powerful people in Mitraspera giving many of them the right to be seen, heard and even to vote on the fate of the land and is people. For a realm to gain the right to vote on the council one must prostrate themselves before it, declare their intentions and what they can provide to the common causes and, ask the honored Councilors for the right to be one of them. This year was no different.

The first of the realms to present themselves were the Herzsucher. With little question, the Herzsucher were voted in as the first of the realms that would be newly granted voting rights on the Council. The next realm to present themselves was the Duchy of Validar who hold lands in Kahl'Hatra. Baron Dagger Arkenstone of East Blackwood announced the Duchy of Validar and its representatives, Baron Loken of the Vaettir, the Duchess Vanadis von Goldgrund and himself, the Baron of East Blackwood.

Duchess Vanadis stepped forward and presented the Duchy of Validar to the gathered lords and ladies of the council. She explained the mission of Validar and its intent to be both landholders of Kahl'Hatra and a voting member of the Ruler's Council. One raised a question. "Three years ago, Validar stood here and told us their goal was not to be a realm in their own right but to purge Kahl'Hatra of the Forsaken. What has changed?"

Her Highness Vanadis answered with grace and dignity, "Three years ago Validar was born on the back of the Crusade of the Elements. The mission was and still is to purge the lands of Kahl'Hatra of the Forsaken. To keep them from returning we needed to stay. So, to answer you question, yes, a lot has changed. Validar wishes and has need to stay within Kahl'Hatra along its allies. The Duchy of Validar desires to become a realm among those honored here. A realm with full voting rights." While the words recorded here are but a summery of what was spoken, the results spoke for themselves. The Duchy of Validar was voted in as a voting Realm of the Ruler's Council.

The next realms presented were cause of debate and their matters were moved to the following day's council meeting. Porto Franco and the Fjordländer were later voted into the Ruler's Council as observers while the Söldner's host of Mitraspera withdrew their initial request of membership after hot debate. Of those presented, only the fate of the Wayfarers remained.

Ahren von Whitestone presented the Wayfarers designs on becoming a voting member realm of the Ruler's Council. An objection form his excellency Koptar, the Archon of the North was raised. "The Wayfarers hold no land in Mitraspera. The North does not feel as though the Wayfarers have enough to anchor their loyalty to Mitraspera. If the Wayfarers were to hold land then perhaps the North could change its position."

When the Archon of the North was finished speaking, Falk, the Regent of Münzquell spoke his mind on the matter. "Münzquell agrees with the North on the matter of land holding and adds that the City of Porto Leonis, its Terra Tunnel entrance and, its attending lands lay unprotected. Münzquell proposes that the Wayfarers be given theses lands to protect and hold. In doing this, Münzquell would accept the Wayfarers into the Ruler's Council."

After a night's deliberation and council, Ahren von Whitestone, the Consul of the Wayfarers, proposed an alternative offer. "Although I do not understand the necessity to hold land, let the Wayfarers present an alternative suggestion. Let us take our ships to the archipelago left over after the fall of the Eastern Seal. We will investigate and combat any Skargen and Forsaken activity there and then settle some of the small islands. This will secure us the land that the members of the Council deem necessary while also being better for the seafaring folk that make up the bulk of our number. This also serves the Wayfarer's original mission of brining new settlers to Mitraspera."

The Archon of the North, Koptar, stood up and said, "The North accepts and supports this plan." Falk, Regent of the Münzquell did the same however the look of surprise on Consul Ahren's face was for the Archon alone. He apparently had not expected that response. Soon after a vote was called and the Wayfarer's were welcomed as the newest voting realm of the Ruler's Council.  

Squire Tawar Roknar of the Thoringaard

During the first night of the Convent of the Elements this year, Barons Dagger of East Blackwood and Loken of the Vaettir hosted Validar Court. During the proceedings, Baron Dagger spoke of his intentions to build up the knightly order the Knights of Blackwood within Mythodea. To do that, new knights would have to be trained and named. Those deeped worthy would need to express certain qualities and strength of character. Baron Dagger explained that he had begun to see those qualities and strengths in who he hoped to be his second and final squire, Tawar Roknar of the Thoringaard.

"Over one month ago I told you what my intentions were and what my reasons are. I said you were ready and worthy to help Dame Sayeh and I build up the Knights of Blackwood within Mythodea. I said then that you had until the Convent of the Elements to decide. It is Convent... What is your answer. Declining will be no loss of honor or the loss of respect I have for you as a man and as a leader."

Tawar stood up from his seat, "I will accept. I will become your squire. I will be a squire to the Knights of Blackwood."

"Then come before me." Baron Dagger stood up from his throne and Tawar walked to him under a hail of cheers and applause. The two gripped forwarms in greeting as a binding gesture. "Then welcome my squire. We have a long road ahead of us."

Captain Sir Logaan of Arven and new Champion of the Guard

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Council Meeting of Benedicts Haffen 

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Gideon Klaud, Sworn Citizen of Blackwood 

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Letters from Sarkan

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Trade:

Embargos Lifted

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Events:

An End to Torment (Mako)

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Marshal of Validar Temporarily Relieved of Duty

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Tournaments:

Pompfball

This year's Pompfball Championship saw the return of Viribus Unitas to action.  ... work in progress...

Notes:  Sir Markus took up the torch of Team Manager in Baron Tarin's place. Sir Maron remained team captain. The team did well throughout the tournament, and I am assuming they enjoyed themselves. The north was back in the tournament this year as well. For the second day of the tournament, the East Blackwood Company paid for gladiators to be hooligans for us as we typically have very few of those. We also played for the use of a wife or two of the Master of the Lutes to serve as a distraction. All in good fun.Validar made it to the final but were defeated by the same team they beat for the Championship last year. All-in-all we have a great team who now have the new and improved Pompfball Legends cards. They are very cool.

1. Group Phase -We were in a group with "Märkischer Bund", "BSG Adlerklaue" and "Western Allstars" -MB didn't show up to the second game of the tournement, which was them against Validar, so they were disqualified. -All other games in the group ended 0:0, so when the last game of our group came up it would decide who qualified for semi finals, or if there would be a penalty shootout -Last Group game was Validar vs. Western Allstars. Game ended 1:0 for us after a very very close goal, so BSG Adlerklaue and us qualified for semi-finals -Semi-Finals was "Drea Drescher" vs. "BSG Adlerklaue" and "Pömpfers Arrival" vs. "Validar Wildfire" -BSG Adlerklaue won their match and we won our. Our game was 2:0 after our team was dominating the game with most of the game being played in the opponents half of the field. -Final Game then BSG Adlerklaue vs. Wildfire was a very tough game. BSG was giving it their all and in the second half of the game they scored two goals.
   • Our goalie was injured during the first goal and had to leave the field.,
   -Wildfire scored a goal only a few seconds before the end of the game, so it ended 2:1 for BSFG Adlerklaue. -It was a very hard fought game from both sides.1
2. [5:57 PM]If you need a quote/comment from the trainer / manager Sir Marcus: "We might not have kept the title this year, but I am still very happy with the performance of every player. We fought very hard, but in the end you have to respect the skill and determination of our opponents in the finale. I am sure we will keep our momentum from this strong season and return to the finales again next year." (edited)

Champion of the Guard 6

Every year since its founding in the last year before the cataclysm, the East Blackwood Company's Embassy Guard holds a tournament to find out who is the best of that year's available Guardspersons. As tournaments go, this year's proved to be smaller in nature, likely due to the need of soldiers on the frontlines of Kahl'Hatra all year long. The tournament itself was a success and the Embassy Guard has a new champion, Sir Logaan of Arven, Lord of Logaanheim.

Tournament Results:

1st Sir Logaan of Arven, Lord of Logaanheim

2nd Tawar Rocknar, Squire to the Knights of Blackwood and Leader of the Thoringaard

3rd Willibald, Guard of the Embassy Guard and Master Tradesman of the East Blackwood Company 

Prior Champions:

1st Eridan Crabsbane – Served over one year ending his service during the Cataclysm.

2nd Cae of the O'Anid, First Speer of DelRiada – Served for near a year ending his service at a festival in Lunorth in the latter half of the Cataclysm.

3rd Sir Lordas Palatinus – Served until the siege of Tera Ankor before ending his service in tournament.

4th Logaan of Arven – Served for two years before ending his service in tournament at the Convent of the Elements 4 N.d.K.

5th Broyan – Served for just under a year before ending his service just before the spring campaign in Kahl'Hatra 5 N.d.K.

6th Sir Logaan of Arven, Lord of Logaanheim – won his title in tournament at the Convent of the Elements 5 N.d.K. Congratulations Sir Logaan of Arven, Champion of the Guard

Tawar, a King Once More

As with

Liqueur and Spirits Competition

As with previous Liqueur and Spirits Competitions, there was a pre-tasting on the second night of the Convent N.d.K 5.  On Saturday, the 5 best liqueurs were selected by a jury.  It is worth mentioning that the lost master merchant Féwaé Méllinar Vitèz from Münzquell, who was thought to be dead, had turned up shortly beforehand and was immediately back as an organizer.  That he was able to get back to work on something he loved likely assisted in his recovery.  

Horizon, the minister of Diplomacy of the Märkischer Bund was prevented by the Nyamen exams from hosting the event alongside Lady Lowis and Master Féwaé.  This could have spelled doom to the competition as it was set to be hosted in the camp of the Märkischer Bund.  Luckily, a marcher by the name of Maximilian stepped felt the burning of intoxication and stepped up to host alongside Lowis and Féwaé saving the event.

Due to the time of day, Lady Lowis Arkenstone, Lady Konsul of Eagle's Rest declared a "Late Afternoon of Wild Intoxication" instead of a "Night of Wild Intoxication".  There were around 30 participating liqueurs and lots of willing test subjects.  The editor of the Sterndeuter newspaper is said to have brought his article to the editorial office completely drunk.  Something the editors of The Ambassador would never do.  The atmosphere was ignisibly great.

The winner of the tournament was Master Kalandor from the House of Oron with his Potentium VI.  The gentleman from Oron was presented with a bag filled with coin, a grand trophy, fame and glory.

Rumors:

Rumor has it that...

Rumor has it that...

Rumor has it that...