The grim truth became evident this past weekend as word leaked out that the entire population of Rundin has been taken by slavers.

This horrible circumstance results apparently from evil and vengeful reprisals by the vampire known as Malava Von Perish, a vampire recently from Niman, but whose origins are lost in antiquity.

This creature, the object of a great battle in Rundin on New Years Eve, escaped the clutches of the adventurers who sought him out. He has made his presence known since then, and seems to have the ability to send dreams and nightmares, usually of dire happenings and forecasts of death and destruction.

Malava has, apparently occupied the body of the head of the Rundin Healer's Guild for a year or more, and was in the process of making a new nest when his plans were interfered with by a band of adventurers. He left with his band of undead upon a slaver ship commanded by the Pirate Captain, Gunther the Red.

The information on the fate of the town was gained from Arianna Korugar, the sister of Taimar Korugar, of Anvil, in Ravenholt.

Arianna was visiting the town of Rundin, the hometown of the Korugar family, in an attempt to relieve the devastation sowed by Malava and his minions. She and all the others in town were captured in a daring raid and thrown into pens in the caves in the cliffs nearby. As the villagers were being herded to waiting boats, Arianna managed to free herself and make an escape.

She traveled for a time since determined to be approximately two and a half weeks, and arrived at the Mystic Freehold to find her brother and relate the tale of the horror of Rundin...a place many are now calling Ruindon.

In a bold move, a group of brigads called Firestorm attacked the garrison at Sir Victdar's estate of Goblinsbane, Eastwyck . Captain Marcus Starchaser, of the town guard, escaped to summon help, but it did not arrive in time. Sir Victdar and the forces of Ravenholt arrived to find all the guards murdered.

Some brigands, having stolen tabards off the guards, managed to escape. After fierce battle, two were taken captive for interrogation. While awaiting interrogation, one brigand escaped.

The Raven's Herald asked Captain Marcus to explain. "I was watching the prisoner in the main room of the manor house. He was a very charismatic fellow, and citizens kept talking to him, even though I tried to prevent it. At some point in time, he acquired a spell book, and then cast a charm spell on me. I confirmed with Kestryn of Anvil, that he had been thoroughly searched. Someone must have given him a spell book during the confusion. I am currently investigating this and have suspects. "

Interrogation of the other prisoner revealed that Firestorm was stealing the tabards to sell to pirates along the coast. The name Firestorm comes from the fact that some of the group like to burn towns they have pillaged.

This prisoner also escaped when members of Firestorm snuck into the manor house and freed him. Firestorm, in retaliation for their losses in battle began to rob Ravenholt citizens. Several citizens had the initials FS scarred into their forehead.

The current whereabouts and activities of Firestorm are unknown. They are very dangerous. The group is highly trained and highly motivated. Any information about Firestorm should be given directly to the court of Eastwyck.

During a celebration at the Mystic Freehold, Catahoula MacHine Baljar was quoted as saying, "I don' tink I inwited all of dese people to my party.. "Two of these uninvited guests were DeChance and DeLuer of the Unfey.

Little is known about these grey skinned beings. They last appeared to residents of Ravenholt one year ago in Rosharryh for a game between the Chessmaster, the Unfey, and a man (pantherghast) named Ilsanine. In that first meeting, a number of Ravenholt citizens "bargained" for the unusual wares of these self-proclaimed merchants. Those who bargained with the Unfey were secretive about their dealings, but Mother Merry seemed quite disturbed as she left the Mystic Freehold. She was heard mentioning, "someone must have hired them.."When asked to clarify, she did not wish to discuss the matter further.

During their stay, the Unfey approached many about a "game". The prize for winning was rumored to be the "deepest desire" the winner might request. A number of citizens, among them, Arracor Stormhaven, Northstar, Aiden Redbourne, and Keegan, were approached openly about their participation in the game. No information is available regarding the outcome of this game, nor the prizes that were requested by the players.

One startling episode during the visit of the Unfey came on Saturday night, when a rift opened in the common room and DeChance and DeLuer stepped through with Azriel. She was in a the weakened state that often accompanies resurrection. The Unfey dropped her on the floor, and she cowered from them.

DeLuer announced that, "She had misused the power given her in a bargain, and it had been removed." He went on to say that she had suffered under the law of the Unfey and they would have no further dealings with her.

With the sunrise on Sunday, the Unfey had departed. The purpose of their visit is unknown, Those who interacted with them are not forthcoming with information. It seems that the details of the Unfey will remain as shadowed as their skin.

The Raven's Herald has a report that Connor Darkwolf, Life knight, has died. We have no further information, other than it may have been in dealing with the Unfey, and no reports as to whether or not he resurrected.

Connor, as you may remember, was squired to Prince Basil, and Knight to Princess Andrea Huntington. He lost his title in the Tribunal held by representatives of the Kingdom in October of 594.

Connor is one of the most highly respected towns persons in Ravenholt, and his demise would be widely felt throughout low town, where he has been widely regarded as a champion of the commoners.

As the fate of Connor is revealed, it will be reported here.

The night of February 16th began a week long celebration at the Mystic Freehold, holding of Catahoula MacHine Baljar.

Seventy-odd guests assembled in the main room of the inn at the Mystic Freehold to be greeted by a large man bearing a fresh-baked cake, frosted in a seasonably appropriate white and blue. The guests consumed the dessert with great vigor and delight, and they praised the baker, whose name was Fredrick, for his culinary skill.

Baljar, popularly known as Houlie, appeared in the main room to greet his guests soon thereafter. The pleasantries did not last beyond Houlie's spying the Baker, however, An old misunderstanding between the two men clouded Baljar's better judgment, and heated words were exchanged. the room fell quiet as Houlie ordered the baker from the inn. "You have not seen the last of me, Catahoula MacHine Baljar, " were the Baker's ominous parting words.

The insult to the baker proved to be a recipe for disaster. Within an hour, Houlie and his guests saw more of the baker than they ever expected. A human spell caster appeared, accompanied by two humanoid beings constructed entirely of dough. Their rotund white bodies and pristine chef's hats gleamed eerily in the moonlight as they stood in the courtyard in silent challenge. Many of the partygoers went to meet them, and the meeting quickly escalated to violence. Despite the might and number of partygoers, who included some of Ravenholt's staunchest heroes, the fight was a grave one. the dough beings reportedly had the ability to entrap weapons in their bodies. Eventually however, the strength and skill of the partygoers prevailed; the constructs were destroyed, and the spell caster captured. The difficulty of the fight led many of Houlie's guests to believe that any sort of large-scale conflict with the baker's minions would be inadvisable.

Arracor Stormhaven was in attendance at the party, and he , after consultation with Houlie, sent a letter to Fredrick in an attempt to negotiate a peace between the baker and the gypsy. The baker was not immediately amenable, but he did agree to allow Stormhaven to meet with his chief assistant.

Arracor led a party of adventurers to the baker's kitchen, where they met a strange dough construct, one which was quite different from the others. It was black, as though burned, and it had no definable shape.

The adventurers carried it back to the inn. It warmed itself in the main room, and when it was fully thawed, it led nearly all the guests, noble and commoner alike to the lair of Fredrick the baker.

Upon entering Fredrick's lair the partygoers found themselves in a large, silent room. Without warning, one of the stone walls rose into the air. Tension ran high as the room beyond was revealed, for within it stood a veritable army of dough beings, spell casters, alchemists, and Fredrick the baker himself, all arrayed for battle. Knowing the power of the dough-beings, the townsfolk did not relish the thought of a fight. The baker began to speak then, vowing to re-bake the world according to his design. He swore that a new order would rise in the fiery oven of his wrath.

A hush fell as Arracor strode forward into the very midst of the dough beings to plead his case. Stormhaven spoke eloquently on the nature of baked goods, reminding Fredrick that desserts were meant to bring joy to people's lives, not pain. He called the Baker an Artist, not a killer. He wondered aloud why the baker would change the world through the force of his doughy army, and not the magic and beauty of his artistic confections. His words began to penetrate the baker's vast wrath. After a long, tense conversation, a sincere and heartfelt apology from Houlie, and an oath from every noble present who included even King's knights Dame Merry MacGregor and Sir Nork, and Ducal knight Sir Gengi Evenstarr, to do all in their power to bring Fredrick's desserts to a fair sampling by the King himself, the Baker relented.

Tensions cooled still further as Houlie invited the Baker to be his honored guest at a feast that very night. Fredrick shared his meal that night with Donal MacRenn, Dame Tonja Farstrider of Volta, and Houlie. The group enjoyed much conversation on the arts of creating and consuming baked goods. After many fine tales, Fredrick promised to create a new dessert in honor of his host: a lattice of butter crust topped with apricots and toasted over an open flame, to be called a "Houlie"

With the catastrophe of the Dough War averted by the quick thinking and diplomatic skill of Arracor Stormhaven, the party at the Mystic Freehold returned to a semblance of normalcy. A kazoo competition, many dances and stories, the consumption of fire, and one kidnapping later, Houlie bade his guests farewell. Stormhaven and the Baker are en route to the Capital to present King Mykel with baked goods, Silverthorne the Mystic Wood Elf, another guest at the party, has apprenticed himself to Fredrick, and will remain at the Mystic Freehold for some time to work in the Baker's kitchen. Houlie's culinary future is uncertain. He will be leaving soon for the All-Volta Bear Wrestling Championship in Unity, where it is hoped that his face will not be consumed like a pastry, as it was last year by the formidable "Ole Two Claw."

On January 19th,596, Sir Victdar of Eastwyck held the Eastwyck Winter Revel, at his estates in Goblinsbane. People arrived from all over the Duchy, many coming directly from the New Year's Revels in Rundin. Arriving early in the morning, with only the slightest particulars of the event, I traveled down the common road to Sir Victdar's estates, preparing myself to cover this event's story. Suddenly, the bushes to either side of the road erupted forth the legendary Rangers of Eastwyck. Although they did not attack me, I was so startled that I slipped on the icy roads, and landed in a wet and unceremonious heap in the snow. Within moments, I was settled in their guard post by a warm fire, warming my hands on a bowl of soup. It seems that none of the guests, or even our gracious host had arrived on the grounds as yet. I learned that the tavern to the south of the main estate would house the revelers. As I sat thawing my feet and drinking my soup, the door burst open and we were under attack! As I have no skill in combat, the nearest desk served as my haven. For a time it seemed that the rangers would handily repel this assault, but the long and short of the situation was that the post was taken, and I made prisoner. I later learned that all the town guard save the Captain were slain or taken prisoner.

The brigands, I found, by feigning sleep and listening to them were an organized band of plunderers called Firestorm. Their goal in the area seemed to steal all that they could, burn the rest, and leave their mark on all they looted, scarring their victims and burning the buildings when they could...

When I awoke later, I was alone, and in surroundings that were much changed. Wriggling free of my bonds, I found my way outside. There wa indeed snow on the ground, but green leaves were massed in the trees here. Heading for a nearby encampment I was shocked to find it peopled by green snake-like humanoids. They asked me what I, a Mastacan (which I later learned was another race.) was doing in such a place. I soon learned that somehow, I had now been transported to a place named Krystal. Once again my usual luck intervened, and as we were speaking we were attacked. The assaulting force seemed to be made up of beings that resembled bright blue Mystic Wood Elves with obvious Celestial abilities. These creatures took me captive and questioned me quite vigorously. Though I was unable to escape to where the other Ravenholt citizens were staying, I interviewed several of them after our subsequent return.

Upon the occasion of our arrival in Krystal, many confusing events conspired to delay our return. Important artifacts of the local inhabitants needed to be assembled from scattered pieces, and somehow repaired to ensure our speedy return. One such item was a statue of a past leader, "Polemos" who was one of "the wise" an apparently oracular race of earth elementals said to each embody a virtue. The other item was called the "Shield of the Ages." and was somehow necessary for the snake beings which were called Hissinti to solidify their leadership and political position. Another important artifact, called "the Krystal," was apparently in the hands of Ravenholt citizens, and its return was also necessary.

All this was complicated by the recent death of the Hissinti Queen, the disappearance of their Princess, and by revolt from within their hierarchy, attack from without in the form of the Mastacans, and the blue Mystics (these I heard called Vin-eshu.) Although some citizens of Ravenholt were able to negotiate a short term treaty with all concerned to enable our speedy return to our own plane, they left before the final negotiations that they promised were accomplished.

Any further information concerning the events which occurred on that occasion, particularly the names of those heroes who accomplished great deeds on that faraway plane would be appreciated. Please address all responses to the Editor of the Raven's Herald.

At the party hosted by Catahoula MacHine Baljar at his Mystic Freehold, many guests were approached by a strange man claiming to be the descendant of the last prospector to work the now "haunted" silver mines on the land. While these claims seemed to be true, and his ancient maps to the mine shafts to be accurate, the few adventurers who ventured into them faced not ghosts but worms, apparently made of molten rock, and tiny gremlins with mischievous abilities.

Caleb Farmer, a local resident of the Mystic Freehold spoke to Sir Aryenne Shelton of Greenbriar at some length regarding the good knight's adventures into the abandoned mines. Apparently the "gremlins" made him go "mad with battle lust" and he attacked his comrades again and again. The tiny creatures displayed other abilities, apparently innate, as they dispelled imprisons, built Wizard locks, disarmed weapons, and shattered undergarments!

The worms presented little problem to many adventuring groups. However the larger worms incredibly hot bodies destroyed non-magical weapons or those that were not master-crafted.

the truly dangerous denizens of this area seemed to be the Gremlins who went by names as widely varied as "Spiney" , "Lumpy", and "The Emperor of All That Is." There have been mixed reports of Gremlin sightings since the gala event ended, but nothing has been confirmed.

Good Sir Ari did encourage Caleb the Farmer to visit the mines as there was a great deal of rich silver ore to be found within their depths. However, Goodman Caleb also heard the Good Dame Anastasia remark," We just got our butts kicked by something smaller than my foot!"

Evendarr City: The Capital is still ringing from the historic meeting which took place between King Mykel Endarr II, Duchess Mara Tirane and Duke Brian Nordenn of Ashbury. The Duke and Duchess it might be remembered were not present for Crown Prince Berthold's naming ceremony in Saxony Keep last fall, and therefore were not witness to the strange events surrounding King Mykel's return to the throne. The mood in Evendarr City was a tense one at first, but when the Duke and Duchess descended their mounts and embraced Mykel as if he were a Long-lost cousin, the tension gave way, and the people cheered.

From then on, the mood became one of camaraderie and friendship. All three, The King and the Duchess especially seemed to take an immediate liking to one another. Discussions were mostly held behind closed doors, but our palace insider suggests that the topic of conversation strayed often to the topic of the unrest and tensions between the peoples of Ashbury and Niman. Duchess Mara, like Princess Lillian, Duke Vordan, and many other kingdom nobles have been waiting to see what the new king's policies about Niman and its slave trade are going to be. So far the palace's official stance has been one of Status Quo, but many conjecture that this will change once King Mykel is more comfortable with the state of the Kingdom as it now exists. No one in a high position has been willing to confirm or deny this fact, and even the often talkative Lord Ambrose refuses to comment on the subject.

One thing King Mykel himself confirmed in a public decree is that Duchess Mara and Ashbury are supporting his rule. He even went so far as to offer the services of the crown in the search for Duchess Mara's kidnapped daughter, Brianna. "Such villainy will not go unpunished." he proclaimed. "We will do everything in our power to see justice done." He even went so far as to authorize a Contact Earth ritual for the purpose of finding the child. When the Ducal retinue left Evendarr City, it was clearly a parting of friends who look forward to meeting again.

The prosperous Arkenstone Jeweler's House, one of the richest jewelry firms in the kingdom, has been robbed nearly to ruin by the mysterious and flamboyant figure whom the authorities have taken to calling, "the Knave of Hearts." the Knave has earned his name by leaving the playing card of that same name at every crime scene. He first came to the notice of the authorities when he stole the one-of-a-kind "Lantern Topaz" from Lady Terletha Bandrimung, widow of the late Sir Moribar Bandrimung of Cassimar Downs during her visit to the county capital two years ago. Since then he has struck over a dozen times, choosing only the largest and rarest jewels to steal.

Lady Bandrimung in cooperation with the county knights has hired Marcellia Arusticano, the self-styled "Lady Ferret" to find the Knave. The Lady Ferret is something of a flamboyant character herself. Coming originally from the walled city of Otrandio in southern Gandar, she has become quite a dashing figure, a wandering lady-of-fortune. Rumors suggest many things; that she is an ex-jewel thief herself, that she is the daughter of a powerful noble, that she is a spy for the Sessuar Imperium, and that she is a mage of at least wizard-level ability, if not higher. We were unable to reach Marcellia for comment, but we hope to have an interview with her in the near future. We are most curious to see who will win in this intriguing duel of wits and style.

Further sightings of the Lake Ardynn monster have been reported, giving further credence to the claims that it has reawakened and returned. In one incident, it is supposed to have devoured an entire fishing boat. "We were fishing a few miles off shore." said veteran fisherman Liam Swanrick. "And my friend Calder had come fairly close to where I was. I could see his boat, but it was hazy in the early mists that the lake throws up. Suddenly I felt this strong wake that rocked my little boat, and as I called out to Calder to see if he had felt it, his boat shot into the air as if a hand had picked it up and thrown it. I could see a big neck that looked like a snake's, and it plunged down, swallowing the boat whole. I got my sails up and tried to get over to Calder as quick as I could, but his boat was gone. I think he's dead, and the Serpent's to blame."

Swanrick's testimony is a minority though, for most Ardynn Lakers agree that the serpent is a benign creature, good luck for those who've seen it. Swanrick disagrees. "It weren't too lucky for Calder. Maybe he didn't see it..."

Our last report on the Serpent's activities caused a minor stir among Ravenholters. It seems that Ravenholt's side of the lake has had some fairly recent sightings of a creature that they believe is the Lake Ardynn Serpent. They point to a number of citizens who have encountered something called "Leviathan," and tell stories which point to the possibility of this creature and the Lake Ardynn Serpent being the same. The Voltans seem to disagree. "We've known of the Serpent for centuries," said Jymee MacHaile, a Voltan citizen and scholar of the Serpent legend. "Just because the Ravenholters saw something in the lake, doesn't mean that they've seen the Serpent. It's always stayed on our side before. Why should it leave now? "

He did say that he would be curious to examine old Ravenholt records and see if there are any alleged sightings of the Serpent in times past. "If so, maybe they are one and the same.. but until I see evidence of that, I am not willing to treat the Ravenholt sightings as true Serpent sightings."

There has been no response as yet from the Ravenholt Serpent Society, other than to increase their observations along the coast.

Feast!
The Ducal Household wishes to announce that there will be a spring feast held at the Great Hall on the night of April 13th at 7:00 pm, All townspeople are welcome to attend. It is a celebration of the leaving of the snows of winter, and anticipation of the planting season.
Any interested parties should pick up information and reservations at the Voltan Bear Tavern, right next to the Great Hall.

Margoli Lupescu of the Phoenix and Wolverine clans and Captain Eliyahu ben Nachman would like to invite you to their wedding, to take place in Ravenholt on April 13th,596 at 2:00 pm.

My thanks to Umbarto, his performance was an inspiration, and his song should not be forgotten.
--Shevrel Chrystalforge

I am investigating a possible theft from the Great Hall. Several items of some value were removed including an old Ducal Banner, a war helm trophy of Basil Ravenhurst and a wall plaque. Amy and all information would be appreciated.

Big News From Boris an' Natasha!
Hey! Dis is to tell you people dat de Voltan Bear Tawern will be havin' dis great new menu wit diffrent kindsa food excep' mebbe for de chicken. We gonna try to let you get your own food instead of de waitressy ting. So come in and give it a try, eh?
~Boris an' Natasha

Unsettling Reports From Lake Hollym.
Reports from the Royal Academy at Lake Hollym indicate that Astrological imbalances are causing unrest in the balance of the planes. Forecasts indicate upheavals, and they will tend to be localized in nature.

Dreams, nightmares, and deaths have increased, but the spirits seem to be unable to stay at rest. Many have returned from resurrections that convinced that they had just avoided a final death.

Large numbers of undead seem to be erupting spontaneously from the ground recently, and large packs of wolves, human forms sighted among them, have been seen to be running at night.

Caution is advised.