June 6, 2001

The air in the underground meeting hall was quite cool -- a welcome relief to Thane Tuomas and his scribe, out all day in the sweltering sun. "Take this down," said the Thane, as the scribe dutifully raised his quill to the parchment.

"Court held tonight, sunset, in the Tufa hall. Bring any information you've been able to gather regarding the recent abductions. Mages, be here on time and well stocked with components. You've no more excuses to dawdle!"

The scribe wrote furiously, and nodded. "Aye, sir. They'll have this missive momentarily."

This was more like it, so far as Tuomas was concerned. Communication had become a more pressing matter of late, yet here was finally an easy means of disseminating information. More like it, indeed. Organized. Like the archmages. Somehow those scatterbrained old chaps had been able to handle his request for components in record time. Yes, organized.

"Fault those Virindi for what you will, Landry, but they've got their chain of command in tip-top shape. Priorities, you know. There's no mistakes with the Virindi."

"But, m'lord? The abductions? And the awful business in Ayan? Surely, you don't. . ."

Tuomas silenced his scribe with a glare. "No, Landry, I haven't lost sight of it all. Now, don't you have a message to deliver?"

The young man bowed politely and scampered away.

In the torchlight, the Thane pulled a mask from his beltpouch, watching as firelight played over the impossibly smooth surface. He thought about the words of the creature who'd given it to him. Tuomas pressed the mask to his face and cast his gaze about the hall where his subjects would soon come to gather. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. There would be no missions to the northern or southern mountains. Let the hunters tarry with their freshly tanned hides, shells, and pearls. No need to interrupt the progress. Things were changing, and for the better. They were getting more. . . organized.

June 14, 2001

The sun has begun to rise, brighter, hotter, crossing the horizon with the burning fury of an Ivory Gromnie's smelting breath. The torrid days of summer have come at last. . .

. . . and with them comes another menace. Organized groups of marauding "Black Claw" Drudges have appeared in the northern and southern mountains of Osteth. Rumors speak of their involvement with a cabal of Virindi, whose hidden leader, known only as the Inculcator, is reputed to have been the true mastermind behind the takeover of Ayan Baqur. Perhaps the time has come to take the battle back to the Virindi.

For the effort to truly succeed, however, will require both sword and spell. To this end, human legions have instituted further improvements within their own ranks. Allegiances can now nominate designated speakers, who, along with their monarchs, are able to spread news among their every member with the speed of the wind itself. Archmages have long promoted the sale of spell components, putting the common good of all spellcasters ahead of the miserly hoarding of arcane secrets. Archmage vendors have proven even more cooperative of late, filling entire component buy lists instead of individual orders. And as the mystic geomancy of the land continues to fluctuate, more powerful creature enchantments have entered the School of the Left Hand; in addition, all lower-level enchantments have seen their durations increase, allowing enchanters an even greater role in aiding their fellows.

Yet beyond the crusade to strike back at the Virindi, other goals stand to be completed. For hunters, the changing of the seasons marks further chance to collect shed trophies of creatures. And with the end of spring, so comes a final gift of spring-cleaning. Inhabitants of Dereth will discover a fresher item in their wardrobes -- though they may wonder what became of their older, soiled garments.