Stories persist that the County of Serin has fallen under some fell curse or plague since the advent of last year. Little is known however, as most travellers now avoid the roads passinge through the afflicted provence.  

Halflings from across Mieres look forward to the spring festival hosted by Baron Eldreid of Ghaele on the Day of Rebirth.  It is expected that the traditional Mystery Plays of the Great Exodus will transpire, and merchants have been stocking up on a multitude of rich foods & drink.  Hopefully the Kodos Nomads will not disrupt things like they did last year.

It is said that when the Black Druid Skahild took the throne of Stordvik, she invited the fractious lords to her coronation, locked them inside the feasting hall, and set fire to it - burning them alive while roasting queer mushy white sweets on a stick.

Word at the Imperial Court is that the Emperor is desparate to find his son Michael before he falls to the Curse of Azrai left on him for the distruction of the Gorgon, and that he has already begun transforming into some great beast.

They say that the lost son of Prince Avan has come out of hiding to retake his father's lands from the Mynaed. Some say he is a coward, having others fight his battles for him, that he has even fled the Empire for fear of Mynean assassins.  Others whisper that the son of "the Lion of the Heartlands" is even now building a great army, that he has made allies with those who see the Mynaed - lo, parhaps all of the thrice cursed Destante dynasty - as abominations deserving only of death...

Revised: 4/02/03