Season Review; Sea Season 1623 ST

The renowned so-called "Heroes" of Otkorion have fallen from grace. After a successful foray into the Otherworld, recuperating the Rawson family from it's previous damages, during Sacred Time, the "Heroes" have been disgraced. Dealings have become apparent that three of the members were in the pagan cult of Lodril, threatening their souls with Sin and Hell, and that they had dealt and been manipulated by vampires! They have claimed that it was they who were responsible for stealing the Sexten Rod from the Red Circle, passing it onto vampires of all accursed things! The tarnish to the newly deceased Beolorn is worrying. Mariel Staffsplitter was said to have been overcome by her Sin and forced to repent to the Archbishop himself, admitting to been unknowingly forced by Vivamorti worshippers in seditious acts and being a member of the Lodrili pagan cult. Deola Rawson was found guilty of these crimes likewise. Both members, who had only weeks before been appointed to the Rawson Iron Council were dishonoured and cast off it's ranks. Whilst they remain members of the Lord Caste, their power and influence remain in doubt. It is said that Liam Dac Mara, the Family Head, spoke privately on their behalf to both the Inquisition and the Archbishop and managed to convince them not to have them executed for pagan acts, or even reduced in Caste to something obviously more fitting, such as dung-shovelling as Farmers.

Kirkbain, notable Destroyer worshipper, fled, proving his guilt. For him, the bards have begun writing many a song of the Hero Who Was Always Evil. Fellidra Rawson was found guilty of a handful of crimes for which the Red Circle summoned her for, although somehow she managed to escape reproach, and rumours abound of how she managed that. The valiant Lugh Rawson was found innocent of all charges, and after more badgering by the Inquisition, Liam Dac Mara has objected to his mistreatment, causing the Archbishop to pronounce that he gives his personal assurance to Lugh's lawful and pious nature.

The Lodrili cult was wiped out for pagan Sin. As it was they who were responsible for keeping Mt. Fiesive from erupting, for it appears that we live on a semi-dormant volcano, the newly disgraced Heroes were sent to solve it and they returned a few weeks later having recovered ancient scrolls held by the descendants of the Arkati monks who used to live in Fiesive. A few weeks later, Mariel took a sabbatical, leaving on holiday, probably to recover from her dishonour and to meditate on her dishonours.

Darkstormer trolls are now mounting on the border. Small fortifications are being built in Lanciti lands in Lalia, and whilst the Lanciti are mounting some form of offensive against the trolls they are quickly loosing. The Church Militant have decided that the skirmishes now constitute prelude to war, and it could not have come at a worse time with brewing troubles in the north and civil problems in the south. The Rafali Fire Tribe of Lalia have finally been defeated by the trolls, and a tower dedicated to Zugorteg, god of Dark Earth, is being constructed alongside a temple to Amanstan, the fire sub-cult of Zorak Zoran. Apparently, younger more militant members of the Rafali tribe have gathered, but rather than attacking the Uz they have made some form of workable agreements with them concerning hatreds above and beyond that of trolls - truly the object of such hate must be afraid of the force that is gathering!

The Red Circle has again been called to be disbanded. The King of Fiesive has already allowed the Goldentongue temple to sell and distribute magical devices without the permission of the Red Circle, a sign of his growing displeasure. The Queen, who has normally supported the Red Circle, has been unusually quiet. The Court Wizard, now fully recovered after his incarceration it seems, has made allegations of Cowardice. He engaged in a magical battle with Noron Halifar mid-Season, while it was non-lethal, it clearly determined that both men felt that their honour was in question when it came to the subject of the Red Circle.

King Remeual II of Valantia has declared that his search for a wife will end for the next two years. Romance and Love, he says, are luxuries that cannot be afforded in these times. Odd words, it seems, as Borin, just to the east, has converted to the Henotheistic Church and would now gladly aid Valantia were it to have problems. Remeual has doubled the men stationed at the Border Forts on Tinaros, the Monster-Lands.

The Kirwan and Halifar family have joined forces in a plan to create a new town in the centre of Otkorion, it will be a centre of trade for magical secrets and devices, as well as knowledge and literature. It will include a temple to St. Lhankor Mhy, and after hearing the proposed plans, Surantyr has asked that the HeroQuesting Sages mapping the OtherWorld be allowed to work there, to which the family heads have agreed.

The Family Rawson have begun constructing four temples to St. Humakt in his war aspect. Two are on the border of Scanthil lands and two border Surkorion. A few arguments have been made by the Scanthil, but seemingly they already see the futility of legal action and have begun preparing themselves for the obvious war that it to come in the next few seasons.

The Galini Fire Worshippers that Surantyr has been entertaining have, after a mystic appeared to them mid-way through one meeting, returned to Galin graciously and wishing Surantyr the best will in the world.

The Arkat the Destroyer Cult has been greatly injured. Many members have fled, after a raid by the Church Militant, many priests fled. The remaining men, none of home held claim to the land the temple stood upon, have moved to a smaller building some key miles south of Fiesive. There are rumours that Arkati assassins and other trained killers, perhaps even members of prescribed cults, have gone to ground in Valantia. The land previously owned by the Priests has been reclaimed by the Royal Family as theirs. Apparently, the libraries and treasuries have already been taken by King Leoban IV.

The Red Circle took a gift to the cult of St. Urox, formally presenting it in a ceremony in Valantia. It was an object long lost to the Chaos Killers, known as the Lawstone, and it signals the start of a new friendship between the two groups. They have been said to have had many consequent meetings together, to discuss the nature of chaos in and around Fiesive.

The babies were fed to the Beast of Dearan this year. A thousand tears were shed, as always.

Riots outside the Deothaisel great Temple to St. Humakt resulted in the deaths of twelve worshippers of St. Humakt involved in honourable duels. The Dunmara House challenged many members of other Houses, but were often refused. The Durani Arawac House was singled out by the Votaries of St. Talesse, and the common fights between the Order of the Blade and the Cearnlinthor have escalated, with a pitched battle outside Valantia in the marshland resulting in fourteen dead initiates. King Finshad has ordained that all men should fight in the arena rather than the streets, but has so far been ignored. Petitions by the Archbishop to meet with the Head of the House of Dunfal have so far gone unanswered.

In less local news:

The people of Borin have apparently been relatively unsure about their Count's new allegiance to Surantyr the Nonheretic. They have little wish to go about converting religion again, just have to convert again two years down the line.

Dragons have been said to have been plaguing Naskorion, and been repelled.

Rumours of terrible beasts roaming Tinaros have been heard once more, two Wind Lords are said to have had a close encounter with the fabled Argin Terror himself!