Spring.
The time of the planting season and when the smaller campaigns and expeditions begin.
This year marked the second expedition into Sarkan for the Mitrasperans. East Blackwood joined the Realm of Roses instead of the Duchy of Validar this time while the armies of the Dark Alliance also made their presence known. In an effort to deepen the relationship between the Mitrasperans and the Sarkani Vibalider the expeditionary forces supported Saint Faitaja in several moon rituals, while other units uncovered more about this new land including a conflict between the Nocturnals and Greifenbron, were-people and the moon, and more...

Power of the Moon Goddess

Saint Faitaja, leader of the Vibalier, and potential ally of the Mitrasperans requested the aid of the Mitrasperan host. She asked for magic and military support in the execution of several rituals.
Why would the Mitrasperans agree to this? Saint Faitaja would tell you the magic in the region was subdued and unnatural due to a Veil being placed over it. She would say removing it would return the land to its natural order.

If pressed, one could say these rituals would support the Mitrasperan mission to find the third sister, and thus the key to restoring the living continent of Mitraspera. More importantly: Mitrasperans need allies in Sarkan who are willing and able to help them save their home, which as many of our readers know, is dying. Serving our friends, allies, and potential allies would only further that goal.

The location where the Lunar Rituals were to be performed was a large field near the expeditionary camps of both Sarkan and Mitraspera. For their own reasons, if not just to harm their enemies, the Dark Alliance attacked the expeditionary forces repeatedly upon this field as the rituals were taking place. The main rituals called for artifact plates filled with a special lunar liquid to be brought to the ritual locations without spilling any.

The expeditionary army rallied to the defense of the rituals, and fended off attacks from the Black Dynasty led by the Black Prince himself, Garvan's Undead reportedly led by Fortingas, and the Skargen. Over the course of three days battle raged upon that field. Some distinguished themselves more than others such as the Stahlschwur under Ser Maron, and the Archon of the Roses himself His Radiance Ramirez, who fought several duels against high ranking officers of the Dark Alliance, including Fortingas. While these battles took place other supplemental rituals were performed at nearby temples in the surrounding region. The efforts of those valiant defenders paid off and the ritual was a success, returning the region to a state of equilibrium.

Diplomacy

Nocturnals vs. Greifenbron and... the North

We at The Ambassador have heard various tales of how the Nocturnals and Greifenbron came to dislike and distrust one another. The first of these stories tells of the Nocturnals having killed the either the last king of Greifenbron or the last Gryphon. Another rumor based more on the general observations of Mitrasperans was that the differences in morals regarding magic has caused both the Nocturnals and the Greifenbron to hate each other over time. The Nocturnals are said to teach a method of wielding magic through the use of moonwater while Greifenbron have always been said to be the strongest supporters of the Inquisition.

Whatever the cause of the alleged hate between realms, a Nocturnal went rogue or feral and attacked someone from Greifenbron. The feral Nocturnal reportedly drained the attacked, likely as a last resort before their feral state turned them into stone. The details of why this attack happened are as of yet nothing but speculation for the writers of The Ambassador. The results of the altercation are less so.

The feral Nocturnal was found and drained by wounding her enough to force her to petrify which is said to be permanent. When a Nocturnal is turned to stone, they are still alive but cannot feed or move. They, however, maintain their senses. In this way, they are respected and honored after petrifaction by their fellow Nocturnals.

Following the petrifaction, the Nocturnals managed to recover the statue and bring it back to their camp. Greifenbron approached the delegations of several Mitrasperan realms and asked for their assistance. Some of the realms of the Northern Seal such as the Waldtemplar answered the call and stole the statue. While the Seal allegedly debated on what to do next, Greifenbron reportedly shattered the petrified Nocturnal condemning her to an eternity of pain and suffering.  

East Blackwood with the Realm of Roses

In the autumn of last year, Lady Anna-Katharina von Rabenau and Blackwood married Viscount Gavriil Varontova von Tamgorod. The conclusion of the wedding saw the deaths of several Syconians from Tamgorod, Yel'zma and Reva, an injured duchess of Yel'zma and viscount of Tamgorod and several heavily injured guests and soldiers of East Blackwood. The expected retaliation possibly being war between East Blackwood, its allies, and Syconia; forced Baron Dagger Arkenstone of East Blackwood to make a decision. He decided to take his people and leave the Duchy of Validar.

In the search for allies and support, Raul the Manca'Quar of the Realm of Roses, was gracious enough to allow East Blackwood to temporarily settle and administer the port town of Confluence in the Realm of Roses up river from Fort Confluence. To repay the immediate support of the Roses, the former Baron Dagger committed East Blackwood and a unit of its Embassy Guard to the spring expedition to Sarkan. At the expedition to Sarkan, East Blackwood supported the Realm of Roses militarily.

Pages and Squires

The Knights of Blackwood are a knightly order that has mostly been foreign to the Realms of Mythodea with the exception of Sir Dagger Arkenstone and Dame Sayeh Sapherian. Since the summer campaign to Terra Ankor some four years ago, Sir Dagger has had a squire, Captain Varn Delany of the Embassy Guard. During this year's spring expedition to Sarkan, Commander Anthem of the Embassy Guard relieved Varn of his duties so that Varn could focus on various squirely tasks.

Meanwhile, Ser Markus Tullius had a page himself that was on the same expedition. Nescian the page was given several tasks by Ser Markus as well. Both Squire Varn and Page Nescian spent large portions of their spring in Sarkan perusing and fulfilling their various missions. In the case of Captain Varn, he spent time supporting Ser Maron of the Stahlschwur and Kaela the Storm of the Feste while having separate objectives including those with other Mitrasperan knights.

Dame Sayeh Sapherian and Sir Dagger Arkenstone invite you to attend the Sunset Court at half past the twenty first hour of the Convent of the Elements. You will find the court at the East Blackwood Camp in the Western Seal.  

Trade

East Blackwood Company Hosts Meeting Between C.S.C and G.B.T

Ser Bødvar Tock of the East Blackwood Company uncovered tensions between the powerful and massively influential Crimson Sales Company and the Gold brothers Trading Company during the spring expedition to Sarkan. Ser Bødvar offered the camp of the East Blackwood Company and Mitrasperansiche Hanse as host to a trade meeting between the companies. Both parties accepted and found themselves at the East Blackwood camp later during the expedition.

Sorella of the C.S.C was the first to arrive at the meeting followed by Achim who was permitted to observe as a guest. Sir Dagger, the leader of the East Blackwood Company and member of the Hanse, welcomed them. Kastran Valtiery of the C.S.C also arrived and pleasantries were exchanged while the two companies waited impatiently on the arrival of the G.B.T. A short time later, the Crabuhn brothers of the G.B.T arrived. After apologies were made for tardiness, Sir Dagger began the meeting and served as a neutral party in the discussions.

As the meeting commenced, the similarities in iconography between the C.S.C and the G.B.T was brought up by the C.S.C which served as discussion starter. The C.S.C suggested it would be possible for the G.B.T to eventually work with and partly for the C.S.C in the future but that sort of trade relationship would require trust. As the C.S.C maintains the apparent logistics and trade monopoly over the waterways of and around Sarkan, the G.B.T were eager to agree to perusing this goal.

Sorella left the Crabuhn brothers with a task to show their dedication and loyalty. The G.B.T accepted the mission and were excused to peruse their tasks. The trade meeting officially ended after that with a potential new trade partner for the C.S.C, perhaps two, on the horizon.  

Events

The Full Moon and Werefolk    

Never in these writers lives have we seen, or heard of, so many were-folk in the Realms of Mythodea than we did while on the spring expedition to Sarkan during a full mood. At first it was whispers and worries from among the camps, concern about the coming full moon which would appear on the second day of the campaign. Among the were-people who were present among the camps, some where without packs which presented a potential danger as the full moon neared.

Some were-people sought help among friends while others found their way to a wolf-mother who could take care of the packless. That option was open only to one who knew that a wolf-mother was present on the expedition. For those who did not know, other methods to were sought out such as approaching the Sarkani Dragon Hunters. This proved to be a bad idea as their answer was simple, decapitate the werewolf. Needless to say, this option was avoided wherever possible.

Having learned of the potential looming trouble with were-folk, the Dragon Hunters began to warn camp leaders of the threat. As the full moon rose into the sky, dozens of were-people were spotted or heard. The above mentioned wolf-mother had a long night ahead of her as a result, but The Ambassador has heard of no incidents where were-people harmed or killed anyone from the expedition during the full moon.

For the privacy and protection of the were-people of Mythodea, we at The Ambassador have chosen not to include names or paintings of the individuals who experience transformations and or complications during the spring expedition under the full moon.

Other Events

During the spring expedition to Bone Reach in Sarkan, a gorgon was slain at an old Lunar Temple ruin. The temple had been the site of many an old Lunar Ritual. The expedition learned that gorgons were born through a curse and when killed, their killer becomes the gorgon. They are also able to produce gorgon spawn.

We at The Ambassador have been told that the gorgon was once a Sarkani Dragon Hunter, and that the Dragon Hunters desired putting the gorgon to rest because of this. We are not permitted to record the remaining details of this task. Only the present knowledge seekers have further details.

To that end, other missions occurred that will also not grace the pages of this newspaper for reasons of security. We at The Ambassador apologize to our curious readers for the inconvenience.  

Rumors

Sir Maron 9

• Rumor has it that Thor's Tacos sacrificed thousands of vegetarians to have the Whims of the Gods replace the Pompfball World Tournament for fear of Sir Maron's aggression against the delicious taco shop.  

Penumbra Accidental Treason

• Rumor has it that Penumbra was seen being escorted by Forsaken.  Could it be that the Forsaken wanted to protect their newest asset from potential harm by the Mitrasperans?
  

Archon without Pants

• Rumor has it that Archon Eurestus lost a bet, that's why he is not allowed to wear pants.  Who or what the bet was about is unknown But Fae are allegedly involved.