"The Kinslayer," a man who appears to be a Mystic Wood Elf, and who hunts the horns of his own kind, put in an appearance at the recent merchant festival in Garson's Bridge, much to the consternation of the people gathered there.

A young woman, later discovered to be enslaved, lured local prominent Mystic, Willow Treespeaker out into the woods and delivered her to this "Kinslayer". Willow later was dragged back into town badly beaten, with her horns ripped off, and in a comatose state. When eventually, she revived, it was noticed that she was acting strangely, and an Enslavement antidote was administered to her.

Many attempts were made to find the Kinslayer, but none were successful. Late that night, it was discovered that one of the merchants of the caravan, a strange looking elf, with broad stripes of white and black across his face, was also enslaved to him. He was cured and convinced to try to help set up an ambush for the Kinslayer by pretending to still be Enslaved and leading him into a trap. Many warriors hid themselves in ambush with Nomad, another prominent Mystic, volunteering himself as bait, but the Kinslayer proved elusive, and never appeared.

No further traces of this dangerous individual were found. However, several rumors of his intentions have reached the Raven's Herald. One rumor is that he stated an intention to head to Vandal Keep. Another, more disturbing, is that his purpose in gathering the horns of Mystic Wood Elves is to make himself into another Vivimancer, for unknown reasons. This information is uncertain, however he is certainly still at large and dangerous.

The recent merchant fair at Garson's Bridge had some very unusual guests -creatures that have been described to the Raven's Herald as "ice lizards".

These creatures peacefully approached townsfolk and asked them for help in a quest to save one of their friends. Apparently, this friend was somehow melting. The ice lizards needed adventurers to retrieve items called "glacial hearts" to help restore her. They brought bands who agreed to help them to speak with a being called Kalgreth, who appeared to be human, but with veins of ice running through his face like ore in rock. Kalgreth had offered to help the ice lizards restore their friend using these glacial hearts . He told groups what to look for and then gated them to where these hearts were hidden, guarded by hostile fire elementals.

Some groups also retrieved items for this Kalgreth, who in turn offered them knowledge and answers to questions, as he was very learned. A number of these hearts were retrieved and given to the ice lizards by helpful townsfolk. It is as yet unknown whether the lizards were successful in helping their friend.

This February in the caverns and tunnels beneath Ravenholt the adventurers who fell below discovered several restless spirits wandering the subterranean halls. They seemed drawn to plaques on the wall, bearing inscriptions in strange runes. When they were spoken to, it became clear that these spirits were without memory of who they had been. With further inquiry the people of Ravenholt were able to deduce that the Chaos Child had somehow stolen their memories and tied their spirits in some way to the Necropolis, which was feeding on their energies.

The plaques were translated by several people of Ravenholt, including Anastasia, Keyla, Ember, and Harry O'Leary. The inscriptions turned out to be the epitaphs of the spirits. When their epitaphs were read to them their memories returned.

To put the spirits to rest, final small spirit-quests had to be performed for them. Most of these were very simple. -A harmonicist needed to be sung to, a sculptor watched someone sculpt, and so forth. When these spirit-quests were performed by a number of helpful towns folk, the spirits were finally freed and able to go to their rest.

Wanted: Everything! I am looking to buy/sell/trade for many items.( Potions, scrolls, components, armor, weapons, crystals, jewelry.)Also wanted: Craftsmen to fulfill contract work, as well as a place to sell your wares! Please contact Amra Asland Al-Quadim! Safe Journey to you!

Baron Northridge, My Lord, I was most honored to be a part of your ceremony and I Shan't forget the comraderie that you have shown me and mine. Your brother in arms...

Alden, your letter form the February Raven's Herald concerns me and the rest of Capulus. I would like to speak to you further about it. I will be in Ravenholt on the weekend of the 17th-20th of April; please see me then, or you may send a message to Sercia, Capulus, before hand.
    -Major Valinger Stormcrow

Wanted: True elemental essence of Darkness. If you possess what I desire, please contact Darius Brisbane

Lord Ferral, Sithryn, Shatwaylu, What of blades and brothers?
-Lord 9 Fingers

Highlanders of Ravenholt:
Prepare for a gathering on the 18th of April at 11 a.m. I will come to get you.
-Harold MacDonald, Cruaigh

Wanted: Weapons and Armor. For weapons, I am especially interested in long swords, scimitars, main gauches, spears and axes. For armor, I am interested in all suits from leather to full plate. Please contact Amra Asland Al-Quadim! Safe Journey to you!

Chocolate Fudge, Mocha Fudge, All-Butter Shortbread. Made by Daphne Green, confectioner, and available at Cap's Trading Emporium

I shall never forget the bond we forged deep under the city in the tomb of one of our own. Never doubt your hearts, sons of Eastwyck. Your blood and intentions are true, just, and noble.
        -Sir Delahr Greymist of Eastwyck.

Do you need jewelry appraised? Items exchanged for currency? Access to a technician's delicate art? If you want something, or need to sell something, Please contact Amra Asland Al-Quadim! Safe Journey to You!

Seeking new, open-minded members.
Greetings to all, and I hope you all had a prosperous and enjoyable winter. With the new season, the Alchemical Research Center (ARC) would like to invite all that are interested to apply for membership. We are a commoner group that is small, but close. Each member strives to do their best to add a new quality to the group. Our talents range from having ritual casters of both schools, harmonics, admirable fighting skills, and large amounts of alchemy to experiment with. If any are interested please stop by and talk to any of the present members. If you're just looking to meet some new people in town, we think of ourselves as friendly people, and are always willing to chat. Till the next gathering, may the elements offer you their strength.
        -Shaman Kainon Andrews

In the aftermath of the Sessuar war, a joyful event has occurred. The long vanished citizens of the town of Rundin have been returned.

In January of 596, Rundin was assaulted by the evil Vampire, Malava Von Perish. Malava was in league with a band of pirates that had kidnapped the entire town, loading them onto ships and sailing across Lake Ardynn with them. It was rumored that they were sold as slaves in Niman, but no trace of them could be found.

These rumors have recently been discovered to be true, and the missing townsfolk have begun to return home. Reports of the returning citizens are incredible stories of poor treatment and horrible conditions. The captives were forced to work in mines and on farms within the confines of Niman. All of the returning citizens were somewhat traumatized, but relate a story of being harshly treated, and then rescued by a well-dressed man in a black carriage. The man is unknown at this time, but some have reported hearing the name "Antonio" mentioned. Some of the rescued slaves reported being purchased by this mysterious man, and others claim that he just came and demanded their release, and their captors complied.

The returned citizens were given passage on ships traveling to Ravenholt, keeping them from having to cross the lines of the Sessuar to return home. The people of Rundin are now in the same position as most of the Duchy, rebuilding their broken lives and restoring their homes, but they are grateful to be home.

The festival of the Three Ravens Merchant Caravan in Garson's Bridge this March proved more eventful than expected. The festival started out with fairground games and a playful atmosphere, but it was soon disrupted by many bandit attacks. A number of citizens were attacked by harmless seeming people and robbed of their money and belongings.

It was discovered that at least some of these bandits, who sometimes attacked by subterfuge, and sometimes in numbers, were Sessuar bonded who somehow survived the plague, or had not yet succumbed to it. Towards the end of the gathering, what seemed like a vast horde of them attacked; the defenders of Ravenholt had a long and difficult battle against the large force which included spell casters and fighters of considerable skill. At last the bandits were defeated. It is hoped that these represented the last remnants of Sessuar in the Garson's Bridge Area.

Below is a short list of citizens of Ravenholt who lost their lives during the Sessuar War. These heroes did not resurrect successfully and we give our condolences to their families and friends. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of such great people, and this list is to honor and forever remember their ultimate sacrifice. This list was extremely difficult to gather at the time of publication due to the large numbers of Duchy populace returning to their homes after the war. The Raven's Herald would gladly accept the names of other heroes who have fallen for further publications.

Our Remembered Heroes

Jonathan St. Germaine
Squire Martimus Wilder
Elliandra Velkosmra
Regar StoneEdge
Isabella Jorunn Stelgari

Eastwyck

Lochinvar MacLeod
Fallon of ARC
Aurora Bronwyn
Tellikar Nivaris
Jacob the One-eyed
Vellendarthillis

Westmarch

Vergil Bethmore
Thenderth Dragonsbane
Julia Henthrusk
Thrakkash Mirabad

Capulus

Darkenvore der Salisis
Brightmore VanderHelm
Lilli of Dunharrow
Miravelli Nath'Kan'Tra
Corwin Greylore

Octavis Handervond
Brian the Quick
Brakken Dreamsleeper

Capt. Eliyahu ben Nachman
Jorunder Devalis
Telaris MacLeod
Viscount Daramore Darkcloud

Kerystal, Titania

Squire Titania Kerystal of Arkham suffered her permanent death in the lands of Avendale recently. She had many friends that will surely mourn her passing. With deeds too many to name, she was always willing to take on the challenges offered to her, and she took particular pride in championing the causes of those who could not or would not champion themselves. She leaves behind no immediate family but her liege lord, her court, and many friends as well.

Last February, when many citizens of Ravenholt fell into warrens of tunnels beneath Ravenholt, two broken tablets were discovered. One tablet was white and bore an ancient noble oath upon it. The other tablet was black and had the incantation for Help/Harm undead written on it, and it seemed to be a part of a larger tablet. Both of these tablets were reported to have been broken into pieces by the being known as the Chaos Child.

The spirit of a deceased Squire of Eastwyck from the time of Cecil Swordhand knew of both tablets and was of great help in guiding parties to find and retrieve their pieces. The white tablet had once lain by his tomb and held an old and powerful oath to the land that once was sworn by all new nobles, binding them to their lands in a very real way. The dark tablet was of unknown origin, but was now corrupted by chaos. It has been surmised that reassembling it would make the spell whose incant was graven upon it once more copyable into spell books.

The pieces were hidden in nearby caves and guarded by undead. Several groups of valiant heroes followed the spirit of Squire Bethan to retrieve them; finally all of the pieces were regained and the tablets were assembled. In a moving ceremony organized by Sir Delahr of Eastwyck, Squire Bethan recited his oath to the land one final time and then was laid to rest. The oath to the land that was regained with the assembly of the light tablet was carefully collected by the nobles present and will hopefully be used to strengthen the ties of our leaders to the lands they rule.

The effects of reassembling the dark tablet are not yet clear. A wave of energy was released when it was assembled, so it can be assumed that some effect has occurred, but the Raven's Herald has not yet been able to discover whether it has indeed made the spell graven upon it copyable once more.