The First Land Herald/438-01-26

Article Number: 57

Dateline: 438-01-26

CHARITY BALL INTERRUPTED BY POISON, DEFENESTRATION A charity ball held recently at the Crossing's Raven's Court was stopped short when guests began falling to their knees, coughing and gasping for air. It quickly became apparent that they were poisoned with cyanide, as testified to me by the Empath Souv, and many died shortly thereafter. In the chaos, I found it difficult to ascertain the method of poisoning. Viyalo and Souv both spoke to me of a cloud of gas, which they believed to be the source. However, the only cloud I saw myself was the silvery-grey mist typically summoned by Clerics. There is the strong possibility that the food or drink were poisoned, though Souv told me he and Nukite had partaken of some champagne and not fallen ill. I asked Souv, an accomplished alchemist by his own word, to analyze the champagne he had saved, so answers may be forthcoming. Mazrian later informed me that, further complicating matters, in the midst of the poisonings, he spotted shadowed figures standing over the stained glass skylights. They then opened a single panel and unceremoniously dumped several people inside! He was able to identify Moza, Slarc, Cabano, and Atuen as victims of this brutal attack. Afterward, a handful of the wait staff tossed their platters aside and flipped a serving cart, causing the remaining staff to flee. One waiter threw off his formal coat, revealing a bulky black broadsword strapped to his back, crying, "The Red Hatchet will take that money!" He drew his broadsword, and in a moment, the area was flooded with thugs. I was unable to learn if they succeeded in stealing any money, though the ruffians who remained were all dispatched. The ball was thrown by a group calling themselves the Nameless, who recently debuted by spreading flyers throughout Therengia declaring the "tyranny" of the great Houses and accusing the Baron of, "[forcing] you into a conflict that will reap you of your peace, of your children, and of your soul." They appear to be terrorists who are directly threatening the Houses, saying, "We will bring the houses to their knees." Of those running the ball, I recognized at least one whom I had seen on Ratha the day that the Demonic Nefis and his minions attacked. There she had ambushed me, aiding the lich-supporters. I also spotted Uroi Odalva at the ball, collecting the donation bin that proclaimed it was for donations to House Pantel and those in need in Reshalia. The connection between the Red Hatchet, the Houses Odalva and Pantel, and the Nameless is still unclear. Remain vigilant, dear reader, for there is much yet we do not know. Navesi Daerthon True Bard, Zoluren's Herald Editor in Chief of the First Land Herald

Real Date: 5/1/21

Subject(s): Basalt Isle Charity Ball House Odalva House Pantel Nameless Pirates Ratha Red Hatchet Gang Uroi

Author(s): Navesi