July 6, 2001

Martine grinned as the last of the mages fell before the onslaught of the Rifts' attack. He had been following the party for quite some time, a group of Life wizards that had been much too pleased with their recent advancement in spell research.

Apparently the new spells had not been quite enough. He looked at the blood-stained clothes of the mages. Such new colors the Isparians sported these days. A little morbid but appropriate, given the circumstances.

He wished he had time to explore this new island. So much death and destruction. His spies had reported that there was unrest amongst certain groups of the Isparians, looking for more and more adventure. He remembered a time when he too, thought that he needed a new frontier, a new area for exploration. He had gotten what he had wished for. He anticipated a similar amount of pain in store for these little humans.

If only he had free time, he could pick and choose at how best to sow the seeds of chaos. His old Virindi chums here had actually assembled a sizable force, and he didn't know whether the Isparians would be up to the challenge. Martine's plans since killing Alayne had not gone exactly as intended. A new Singularity here on Auberean would not make those plans any easier to accomplish.

And on another front, his old Exploration Society friends had had the audacity to keep on going. Struggling and pathetic, yes, but still surviving. And still helping people. Information and order disseminated to the new Ispar arrivals. No, no, no, this would not do.

But, as he reminded himself, if he had free time, which he most assuredly did not, it would take many months before his plans reached fruition. If he did not ensure their success, then none of the rest would matter.

Martine smiled once more at the broken bodies as he portaled back to his sanctuary. Feazh Zhapaj, indeed.

July 11, 2001

The dog days of Derethian summer have arrived. Temperatures rise ever higher, leaving those who wander the wilds sweltering in their heavy armor and thick robes. With the approach of Summer Solstice, the deadly Virindi accelerate their campaign against the residents of Dereth.

With the defeat of the Inculcator, their stranglehold on Ayan Baqur was broken and the beleaguered townsfolk returned. Yet only a fool would believe the Virindi so readily defeated. Surely they plan to strike again, to retaliate with powerful new servants and weapons. The question is where and when. Once again, the legions of Ispar must venture forth to stem the tides of war.

Rumors spread like wildfire of a strange new land, shrouded in mystery and swarming with never-before-seen foes. Perhaps those willing to risk life and limb can find a chance to defeat the intractable foe on this strange new land... Or perhaps it will prove but a short route to a violent and unpleasant demise.

Even in the darkest times, there has always been good news for the citizens of Dereth. Travelers of late have returned to the towns of Osteth garbed in regal new colors, and bearing weapons of devastating power. The Consortium of Archmages has finally discerned the location of the final Essence, completing the seventh circle of the Arcane. One can only hope these developments have come in time to stave off the advance of the Virindi.