RECENT EVENTS

May 7
Grath Salask, reknown for his in depth knowledge of pre fall ruins, died on an architectural expedition to a set of ruins in inland Tawhiem. The Naval Intelligence representative, Gavar Brakin, would allow only cursory comments from the party members as to the cause of death. Several rumors indicate that a Ibisi Guidesman may have murdered Grath in his sleep. The body was returned on the Heavy Merchant Go Fer Broke on the 25th of May. Grath is to be buried at the Hcetlac temple by Archpriest Vanderhoven, head of the Bythe Hcetlac temple.
May 12
A new and poisonous variety of the common fishing staple known locally as "Yellow Fin" has resulted in the deaths of several fishermen in Bythe and Herido, and in a single member of the Kethem Guard at Noru Castle. The new variety of Yellow Fin is almost indistinguishable from the normal version, but carries elongated spines in its fins that inject a very toxic venom. Local fishermen have stopped catching Yellow Fin until more information can be gathered. The reduced catch resulting from the fishing fleet going after the deeper water Garp is already resulting in higher prices for fish in the Bythe and Herido areas.
May 13
A local ordinance was passed by the Fith Major Hold requiring all incoming merchants to stop at Noru Castle for customs inspection and import tax assessment. This was the result of campaigning on the part of Holder Montor, who claimed that Raider merchants from lesser holders were offloading cargo at secret shore rendevous points before proceeding into port at Bythe. This action has been appealed to the Bradford Great Holders meeting by Lesser Holders Finder, Bravin, Young, Falthek, and Palasi, who claim that the docking facilities at Noru were antiquated and unsafe for the fragile Raider design ships. Enforcement of the ordinance has been postponed until after the Great Hold Meeting in July, although lesser holders may begin checking in voluntarily if they so desire.
May 15
Navy MP's are on the. lookout for three sailors who have apparently deserted from the Naval Weapons Laboratory on point Tregan. A 10 gold piece reward has been offered for the capture (dead or alive) of Enrico Esteban, Frank Naples, or Santonio Veraduchi. They are described as "barnacle cleaners, about as bright as your average Grapefruit" by Danar Folsic, the Naval Intelligence Officer overseeing the search.
May 17
Lord Holder Graffon, speaking off the record, claimed that Kom was very Close to becoming the tenth Kethem Province. He claimed that 2,000 additional Kethem Guard troops had been sent to Komki to support a final offensive to capture the bordering troll towns of Grivag and Sargrog. The addition of the troops was allowed by special dispensation of the Kethem Council since the resulting KG Corps of 7,000 men violates the 10453 limitation of power act invoked in the aftermath of Stalgetti the Manipulator. Graffon explained that the additional troops were necessary since the loss of seven light warships last month eliminated a planned amphibious assault on Grivag.
May 20
A Wagon Train from Herido was attacked by what the lead merchant described as a "slimy, disgusting monster". The lead merchant was the only survivor thanks to what he described as a "feet don't fail me now" spell. Later investigation of the sight by the Kethem Guard revealed all other members of the wagon train and the horses had been drained of blood. The wagon train contained beef jerky from Ostenar. The cargo had not been touched.
May 21
A Stangri Raid on Tropslan resulted in a large loss of life and the ruin of several buildings. Also lost in the encounter were the KHW Wrangler, the KHW Grindstone, and three light warships. They were set afire dockside and burned to the waterline before sufficient manpower could be collected to dowse them.