The First Land Herald/437-09-02

Article Number: Unknown article number

Dateline: 437-09-02

NEFIS BURNS RATHA, SIVROCH ATTACKS MINDS The Profane Herald Nefis recently made good on his previous ultimatum to the city of Ratha. In my article from 437-08-18, I wrote of how he demanded that Ratha deliver Sir Khoheke to him and cease the campaign against the Lich Jeihrem, may his eyes melt when he gazes upon the glorious light of the Immortals. Well, he returned, insisting that the time he offered was up and pressing the city over the gweth to present him with a decision. No one from Ratha deigned to acknowledge the servant of Demons. He responded by sending his minions to burn the city and its fields and to engage those brave adventurers who arrived to defend it. Once again, a horrific swarm of mutilated creatures descended from the sky, many-armed monsters I have learned are called banyakea. Unfortunately for those of us defending, as we engaged the multitudes of banyakea, we were set upon by these minions of Nefis, led by the Demonic one himself. Far more appeared than had previously shown themselves, and with the chaos of the creature swarm, many of us fell to those bonded to darkness. I did not recognize many of the faces, but my heart sank when I saw some Paladins among them. They are not entirely Necromancers. Anyone may work for evil. During the battle, I heard cries over the gwethdesuan about fires breaking out all over the city. The fields, docks, lower bank, Carousel Square, and fish buyer were all named as targets, though fortunately I heard Lasaia call out that she and others were putting them out. I won't lie. We were battered by the attackers, beaten soundly. With their new members, the banyakeas, the ambush, and their coordination, we were simply outmaneuvered. But it was one battle, and we will be back to win the war. At the end, House Moglin came to the rescue again, as I saw a ship with their insignia near the docks. From the harbor, streaks of radiant fire cut through the night sky, reflecting off of the water as they tore through the swarm of banyakea. Matching the intensity of the fire, elementalists on deck used the wind to cause the massive swarm to scatter, calling lightning through the horde of banyakea. It was a beautiful sight. Though I grieved at the sight of smoke curling above the city, Ratha will recover. We were granted some reprieve of a few andaen, much needed rest, but it was not to last long. Tonight I heard the cries over the gwethdesuan that banyakeas were attacking Riverhaven. I even heard the intense, vile thoughts that I knew instantly came from Sivroch herself, the she-devil who stands just below the evil Lich. She said, "What delightful chaos they cause," and "You think these mine? Lord Jeihrem's spare parts fill your cities with terror." Many of us rushed to Riverhaven to dispatch the creatures, which proved to be light in number. However, the true threat was the fell witch. Suddenly, I heard her deafening laughter in my mind. I smelled the scents of pine and cooked chicken, and I felt the horrific sensation of her searching through my memories. I saw her, vile and snarling, reach for me — and everything abruptly returned to normal. I later discovered that she also visited the minds of Saragos, Mazrian, Sir Nanakii, and Sir Madigan. Perhaps there were others I did not find. Each smelled something different, but otherwise experienced the same as I. I will render for you the face that I saw. Remember it well as the face of evil, the face of our foe. [Included is an ink drawing of a horrifying creature resembling an enormous, antlered, dark fae, complete with four insectile wings. Five gleaming eyes are set in a smooth head bearing a majestic set of ribbed black antlers, black lips stretched over wide mandibles. Thick, bark-like skin is swirled and mottled, etched with a series of scarred and inked sigils. A smaller, well-articulated third arm extends from her left side, sprouting wickedly barbed leaves and terminating in a pointed stake. Her knees bend backwards and her legs terminate in clawed feet, one ankle bearing an anklet of thick iron. A cloak of flowing ichor billows around her.] We must confront the chilling notion that she wanted us in Riverhaven, drew us there purposefully, in order to delve so offensively into our minds. We will continue to prepare. Reach out to Sir Kenamer, Dantia, Sir Erieck, Saragos, Mazrian, or myself. Join us, join House Moglin, Zoluren, and Therengia, in our quest to end this witch and her malevolent master. In righteousness, Navesi Daerthon True Bard, Zoluren's Herald Editor in Chief of the First Land Herald

Real Date: Unknown Date

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Author(s): Navesi