This April, what was formerly only a continual annoying menace to Ravenholt -orcs- became a serious threat. Several local orc tribes received a strange scroll from a secretive and wise group of goblins which allowed them to create something called a Bloodstone. This bloodstone fed off the anger and hatred of the orcs over having their homeland taken away by the people of Ravenholt, and it imbued them with greater than usual powers. The orcs of the tribes involved became both stronger and tougher, making them a much more dangerous enemy. Their new advantage also gave them the courage to attack the town in force.

Help came from n unlikely source: one of the goblins of the very group that gave the orcs the bloodstone scroll. A one eyed goblin with strange powers called "Moonfire", very civilized and intelligent came to Ravenholt offering information on how the orcs had created the Bloodstone, and how it could be unmade using the same scroll. Because the spirit of the orcs was powering the bloodstone, only by the Orc clans own will could the bloodstone be destroyed. Each clan had an important token and banner which represented t he spirit of their tribe. If the defenders of Ravenholt could obtain these tokens and banners, then they would be able to represent the orc clans and unmake the bloodstone as if they were the orcs themselves.

Several groups went on quests to win the tokens from the orc clans. some tokens were physical objects; the Iron Chain's token was a pair of manacles, and the Red Venom's token was an Alchemy book. Other groups had to win honorary membership in a clan. Anastasia won membership in the Starfire clan by winning a riddle contest, though she passed this reward to Major Valinger Stormcrow of Capulus because of other intervening duties. Sir Delahr of Eastwyck and Arracor Stormhaven of Anvil won membership in another clan through a combat trial.

The orcs' banners had to be won on the field. The orc clans carried them into a few large attacks on Ravenholt, defending them ferociously from the warriors who strove to take them. The Order of the Codex drove inexorably through the Orcish lines to retrieve more than one banner. Leviathan also retrieved one in a daring surprise run behind and through the orc forces. All the warriors of Ravenholt acquitted themselves valiantly, and finally all of the banners were won.

With all the tokens and banners assembled, the forces of Ravenholt followed Moonfire to the bloodstone to perform the ritual to unmake it. The massed warriors defended the ritual from constant orc attacks while the token bearers -some of them living tokens themselves- spoke the words to draw the power from the stone into the banners and tokens that they bore. Participants in this ritual included Major Valinger Stormcrow of Capulus, Sir Delahr Greymist and Squire Kyril of Eastwyck, Leviathan, Niviene Brule of Westmarch, Hale, Teeki-weeki, and Mei-leelu. The ritual itself was cast by Chastity Wolvestride of Stormwatch.

As the ritual progressed the stone itself began to bleed, and the orcs attacked with more and more desperation. Finally the ritual was finished successfully and the power transferred from the Bloodstone to the Orcish tokens and banners, returning the orcs to their normal, lesser strength. The warriors of Ravenholt fought their way through angry orcs back to town, victorious.

At the first gathering of spring, Ravenholt faced a new menace. Strange never-before-seen creatures that seem to be associated with swamp and void. The creatures appeared on the field in flashes of light. As they appeared the ground suddenly became soft and swampy, sucking at the feet of warriors who could only slog through the muck towards the attackers.

The creatures hurled elemental bolts of several different elements, but seemed to have metabolisms. If they succeeded in cutting down a towns person, they tainted them with their foul power. The nature of this taint remained unknown for a time, but it seems now that it eventually transforms the victim into a clawed monstrosity much like the strange creatures themselves, causing them to blindly attack their companions. Those who were tainted identified at the Mage's Guild as having an

"absence in their spirit." and suffered dire dreams no doubt inspired by this taint.

When the creatures appeared on the field, rifts also appeared. Some daring townsfolk leapt into them in the hopes that they would provide a means of stopping the attackers. They apparently spoke to beings who told them that the swamp creatures were summoned from another plane, and that to get rid of them the most powerful of the creatures, one that looked very different and was very dangerous must somehow be bound using star-shaped items and the scroll that had summoned it. The stars were found in the rifts; not only were they to be used in binding the creature, but they also allowed those who bore them to move freely in the muck the creatures brought with them. The scroll was found by the commoner group, Anvil, in a Specter guarded building. The Raven's Herald has heard rumors that the creatures were summoned by a Lord Roseheart, and that the scroll was found on a mission intended to capture him. Other rumors indicated that the scroll might originally have been given to this Roseheart by the nefarious undead group, "The Black Rose". The Herald was unable, however, to confirm these rumors.

The scroll was written in strange runes which resisted the concerted efforts of several sharp minds to decode until an Obfuscate on it was lifted and it finally yielded its secrets to the subtle mind of Durchasi Ruinvorn. Then the powerful creature that led the attacking beings was subdued and banished using the stars and the scroll.

The taint on several townsfolk faded some, but it still remains. It is now believed that the banishment of the creatures was only temporary, and that it will return again and must be banished more thoroughly or destroyed in some fashion. For now, however, it and it's minions are gone.

Several mysterious attacks on travelers outside Ravenholt City have occurred recently. Survivors report that they were attacked by a single, elusive, powerful creature which appeared human save for marks or war-paint on its face. One group of mercenaries lost half of their number over two consecutive nights on the road to Ravenholt. One of those who resurrected, their leader, Teryn Reitte, said that it looked human, but we hit it with paralysis spells and they didn't work. She also reported that it never faced them directly, but picked off sentries and stragglers. Other victims have included a small army patrol and a few adventurers traveling to or from town.

None of the farmers living in the area where the attacks have occurred have reported seeing the creature, save for one, who claims that it destroyed some undead that were attacking his house, but left him and his family alone. The nature of this creature has not yet been discovered, but travelers around Ravenholt are encouraged, as always, to travel only in groups, especially after dark.

In mid-April Ravenholt's new liege, Duke Roderick, made his first appearance in his capital city. The young Duke swore in his nobles, held court, and held several noble meetings, as well as having the revised laws of Ravenholt posted around town.

The Duke for the most part remained in council with his advisors and nobles, settling into his rule in this Duchy. One meeting was held to inquire into actions by nobles that may have been questionable. The Raven's Herald was unable to learn anything as to the results of this meeting.

Duke Roderick has so far held himself aloof from the common folk. Countess Altair Lithill Ravenhurst told Herald Reporters that "Duke Roderick is very formal. " and that "Ravenholt has much etiquette it will learn. " The new Duke has certainly been firmly insistent on the accordance of proper titles and respect to nobles in a frontier Duchy used to a more informal approach.

Keep your eyes open for some interesting changes to the Voltan Bear Tavern - although they should be hard to miss. The gypsies have decided that they want to turn the tavern into more of an entertaining social center for Ravenholt. The first thing to change is the name. The sign out front has already been taken down, soon to be replaced with one that bears the tavern's new name, "The Tipsy Gypsy" . Other intended changes include a small stage for performances and auctions, the hiring of people to serve drinks, an area in which games will routinely take place, and renovations to the building.

On Friday night of the April gathering in Ravenholt, an emissary from the plane of Life materialized inside the Healer's Guild. She introduced herself as Kitara, and explained that she had come to renew the Healer's Guild Circle as had been done at this time last year.

During a meeting with Guildmaster Kendrick and the members of the Guild, she said that the guild must once again acquire fifty signatures on a petition stating that the articles of the guild were being kept. She also instructed the guild to choose which members should be invested, adding that she would not invest any person who had not been chosen freely by the Guildmaster and the guild.

She spoke at length about the attitude of the townspeople toward the Rod of Life, the artifact that was given to the Guild at the Circle's last renewal. She said that her master on the plane of Life (Otherwise unspecified) was displeased at the disrespectful manner in which the townsfolk spoke of this gift, and asked the Guild to take steps to improve this matter. Lastly, she asked the guild to acquire a scroll and components to perform a Spirit Farewell after the investitures, which were scheduled for some time on Sunday. She would not, however, reveal the identity of the spirit to be summoned.

During the next day, the Guild collected over one hundred signatures from both commoners and nobles. Members of the guild also explained to the townspeople the uniqueness and importance of the Rod of Life and asked them to refrain form speaking disrespectfully of it. The townsfolk responded positively, and it was clear that they did not actually mean disrespect but were merely trying to be humorous. They generally agreed that the Rod of Life was an asset both to the Guild and to the town, enabling healers to use their abilities on the field or to provide protective spells.

The emissary held another meeting on Saturday afternoon. She asked Guild members about their relationships to each other. The Guild members confirmed their interdependence on and trust for one another. She then said that she would perform the investitures the next day, and that each Guild member to be invested should think about why he or she had chosen to serve Life and explain this choice at the investiture. Some members objected that such choices were a highly personal matter, but the emissary said that the nature of such choices would be enlightening to the entire guild.

On Sunday afternoon, the emissary gathered the Guild once again. The Guild presented the signatures and the necessary scroll and components for the spirit-farewell. The emissary renewed the Circle, and declared that it would never again need to be renewed, but was now permanent. She spoke to those about to be , who invested who gave their reasons for following the path of Life, and performed the investitures.

When she had finished, she began to tell the invested members how she herself had chosen to follow Life, in return for the lives of her father and family. She spoke of the different and higher planes of existence that she had experienced since that choice, and finally said that her next existence would be within the circle she had just renewed. She said that her master on the Plane of Life had agreed to this, and that the spirit-farewell would be for her own spirit. The Guild was struck silent by this revelation and then burst into tearful farewells. Many of those present swore that she would never be forgotten, and that all should know of the nature of her sacrifice. Then, as the Guild watched, Kitara's body dissipated into the glow of the circle

Seeking Merchants, Craftspeople, Entertainers, and Guards. The house Avaro merchant caravan will be holding a fair in Ravenholt on Saturday, June 13th and we invite all merchants and crafters of Ravenholt to join us in displaying their wares. Also seeking guards and entertainers to make the fair both safe and lively. Contact Giovanni Avaro for details.

To All Persons wishing to correspond with His Grace Duke Roderick Rsvenhurst, or Request an appointment to speak with His Grace: Missives may be se4nt to the estate of Blackpool, Ravenholt. All Messages will be answered in a timely fashion, Circumstances permitting.
-Lady Seneschal Rhyanna Endarr

Kinslayer, You will find me an elusive prey. I do not fear you. Next time, however, do me the honor of a personal visit.
-Squire Solace Collingswood

Seeking supplies to help those in need in the Hinterlands. They are experiencing a flux like Ravenholt once had, and can use all the support they can get. Emissaries will be staying at the ARC during the next gathering. Any and all support offered would be greatly appreciated. Thank You. -Shaman Kainon Andrews of the ARC

Chocolate Fudge, Mocha Fudge, Butterscotch Brownies. Made by Daphne Green, confectioner, and available this month at CAP'S TRADING EMPORIUM.

The ARC is seeking to purchase components of all kinds as a large amount of ours have spoiled, and we have yet to restock. Also we will be making a create foci formal scroll available for those who wish to use it. If you are interested, drop by the ARC building in Ravenholt and we can arrange for its use; though you need to supply your own ritual components.

Are you weary of having your homes burned and your children slain by the evil creatures drawn to Ravenholt? You can help drive out the Darkness and Evil that curses this land. Join the Order of Ouroboros.

I am pleased to announce the wedding of Koshi and Nova of the Healer's Guild. The blessed event will occur in Ravenholt on Saturday May 23rd in the Great Hall at 6 p.m. All friends and citizens are invited to join the celebration.

Omega welcomes its newest members: House Morbahan.

The ritual scrolls for Create Earth or Create Celestial Focus are still available for any and all people to use. There will be no charge for its use, but donations are always accepted. If you do not have ritual capability, but have the components, some arrangements may be made to help you. Ask at the ARC near the Healer's Guild, for more information.
-Shaman Kainon Andrews of the ARC