In the world of Djemity, news travels fast, borne on the fleetest of Aquienos Ships, flown across the land in Sylphim Floating Isles, or whispered through miles of stone by Teklo Wordsmiths. Of course, as fast as news and official reports travel, rumour and hearsay are quicker to spread throughout the world.

Dispatches from the War Fleet

…have fully reinvested the Northern Isles and under the admiral's orders we have begun reconstruction of the port facilities that the Isles might provide resupply and repair for those ships headed towards the Ice Wastes…

…fleet returned in battered condition having been warring against the enemy within the Needle's Passage. Significant damage to many of the ships, but I'm told they were able to hold the way long enough for the Teklo forces to navigate through and head onwards towards the Arkhivian's settlement…

…received word that the Arkhivian port is now in our hands. Travel through the Passage is still hazardous but now we have control of both sides the admiral is confident we can choke the life from the marauders…

Conversation amongst Aquienos sailors.

“They'd fought all the way to the Ice Fortress itself and then PCHOW!”

“PCHOW?!”

“Yeah, blew the doors right off. And they all march in and the Arkhivians are screaming bloody murder and dying. Half of them been stabbed in their sleep by our scouts and they can't even land a hit on our warriors.”

“So what happened then?”

“Well then their leaders come out and they've got all these dark magics and whatnot and the dead are rising all over the place. And does that bother our heroes?”

“No!”

“Course it don't. So they just fight their way back out, don't even take a scratch. And one of the birdy bosses gets too cocky and BLAM, there goes his head.”

“So they all get back without a single loss?”

“Well…maybe a couple of dead. Some Teklo I think. Heard one of the Becquerel didn't make it back. But pretty much a flawless victory!”

Letter from Courtier Falalala

Mother,

A wondrous sight today as a boat returned from the Ice Wastes filled with cheering members of all the races. I rushed down to the shoreline to hear the news for there's little that happens here save the comings and going of the naval ships, and quickly learned that they were all prisoners of the Arkhivians, rescued from imprisonment in the far, far north.

The smiles on their faces. Mother I cannot describe it but it stays with me so vividly. When I return home I shall have to commission an artist to try to reproduce the scene. The dashing Aquienos captain, his beloved leaning against his side. The Becquerel jumping over the rail and rushing off into the pine forests; happy just to have trees around them I think.

It made me glad that I had been despatched here to the Northern Isles. Would that we could see such moments more often.

Your son,

Falalala

Reports from the logs of Captain Thimel'Rasehren

[…] I came aboard their ship and made sure, but they were not armed for war and even the ship itself was a fast sloop without armaments. Speaking to the 'Emissary' who named himself Arkhet, I was assured that they were travelling to the Citadel to negotiate with the Alliance of Five Races. I did not feel it right to stop them and let them on their way - they had come without deceit or ill intentions (which surprised me)[…]

[…] which was on the fifth day after the previous Arkhivian ship came by. This one was armed, and though I was reticent to approach and engage, they too flew the white flag. We met to talk across the decks and this was a second ship of Embassy. Their emissary, by the name of Suret, claimed to represent the Arkhivian leaders, the Table of the Seven, and had come to speak officially with the Alliance of Five Races at the Citadel. He must have become impatient with my shocked look, but I required an inspection. Though this group was more armed and came in a greater number, their intentions yet looked honest - and they were sailing plain for all to see. I nevertheless asked to accompany this ship […]

Ships Log - Hrangh in the Ascendant, by the Quill of Captain Estin'Font'EsDiEs'Mas

Scores of ships have headed off towards the Eastern Isles bearing the wherewithal to build a great network of defences and to raise a significant harbour and docks. Much of the material, and a number of soldiers have been provided by the Teklo, especially the generous Galt family.

Meanwhile the mix of practical know-how and creative brilliance of the team led by Maya'Padadia'Di'Mas and Gala has enabled a magnificent construction. Not only is it sturdy against all weathers, but the use of light and space makes all of the buildings feel just as if they rode upon the waves. I imagine it would take much for an Aquienos to truly feel landsick in such wondrous buildings.

So the giant Kraken attack was really quite unexpected and we should thank the Stars more damage was not done overall.

Official Diary of Teklo Investigator Sylik Yos Nor, stationed at the Polis of Vel.

I note here that the eclipse is now beginning and the sun is being covered by the two moons approaching from opposite sides…

Darkness has fallen all around and the Kirlsa contingent is ready at the city gates. I have taken the liberty to record my understanding of the intentions. Once the eclipse has occurred a great many monsters will surge into the lands and many rarely seen are to make an appearance. These Kirlsa wish to take this opportunity to find and slay them and are within in minutes to depart into the dangerous wilds and perhaps into the edges of the desert. This has been long-awaited by their tribes…

Everything seems to have gone as expected. The eclipse has passed, and the lands are bathed again in light. And monsters. I attach to the Diary a number of drawings depicting the creatures I have seen from the safety of Vel's walls as best I could.

Teklo intelligence report, widely circulated to all allies

Reports have arrived of a great trail of destruction across Djemity, leading from the sea in a direct line to the Sylphim isle of Erli. Eye witness reports claim a great wyrm ridden by Kirlsa and Arkivians laid waste to the entire passage. Thousands are thought to have died even before the final battle, which coincided with the eclipse.

Reports from Erli itself are somewhat sketchy. The facts seem to suggest that the great wyrm was stopped at great cost to both Sylphim and Kirlsa forces defending it. The surface of Erli was apparently slagged by the imperial Chithana cleansing it of the blood that had been spilled there. Reports disagree on whether this was before or after the end of the battle, but many fewer Kirlsa seem to be returning, and many of them have been badly burned.

A Kirlsa campfire conversation

Killed. Killed I hear! By Kirlsa and Becquerel, with the help of Teklo, Sylphim and Aquienos. All banded together to kill the White Wyrm as had not been done for some time now. Not since the King's son had brought one down.

I believe it is true what they say - that the upset had been caused by the White Wyrm and the old enemy Hrundag vying for precedence in their mating.

Still, Hrundag lives, does it not? With children soon to come perhaps?

Excellent! We shall let these little Wyrms grow into Great Wyrms and soon, there shall be enough for many Kirlsa to take on a Great Wyrm and kill it! Hahahahaha!

Now, about this shoulder, do you want it or not?

From the journal of Scholar Tinl Yos Van

…directed the efforts of the workforce to totally reshape the mountainside into a single great eye…

…erupted into a tower of lava and some great beast was seen to stride forth…

…bound within the earth by the strength of their soldiers and the power of their enchantments….

…lifted off without significant damage to the local Poleis much to the surprised delight of the communities…

…learnt of Frizberg's tragic mishap and there was much rejoicing…

A new Floating Isle now hangs in the skies and is slowing moving forward to join their Sylphim's other isles.

Teklo emergency evacuation notice

ALL CITIZENS ARE RECOMMENDED TO LEAVE THE POLIS OF HEID IMMEDIATELY.

At seven minutes past the eighth bell on the fourth day of the month the lost Polis of Raksan tunnelled out the side of Eyllidwe peak. It is now making way on the ground and seems to be on a direct collision course for Heid. The expected impact date is impossible to calculate as it is currently accelerating. Total destruction is expected if it cannot be stopped.

WE REPEAT: ALL CITIZENS ARE RECOMMENDED TO LEAVE THE POLIS OF HEID IMMEDIATELY.