The First Land Herald/449-07-18

Article Number: 87

Dateline: 449-07-18

GREY DRAGONS SEEK KATHER WISDOM ON MAGIC UNREST Concerned about recent fluctuations in magic and its threat to the Balance, the Grey Dragons, led by Dragon's Shadow Waydren Amlir, sought guidance from the Kather Watcher, Anmuva. Waydren suspected the Life Dragons might hold key information, as his research into wild magic suggested they were aware of the cause and taking steps to isolate their lands. The Grey Dragons and other interested parties gathered in the Secluded Grove at the Vela'Tohr Edge. The group included Waydren, Karthor, Zersha, Ayrell, Ezerak, Kethrai, Miskton, Nawain, Tirost, Valynn, Anuril, Mother Jaelia, Elizzibiana, Golameth, Eyst, Dame Elurora, Hebion, Vaerek, Sofina, Atuen, and myself, among others. Shortly after assembling, we heard a sound off to the west resembling a wolf's call, followed by a prickling sensation that we were being watched by a predator. Waydren, with practiced Ranger hand signs, invited Anmuva to approach. A tall and wiry Kather, Anmuva approached us from the treeline. An imposing mask made from the hollowed-out skull of a stag with a rack of enormous antlers obscured his face. He wore a robe of hides stitched together with leather straps bearing fragments of animal bone and teeth. The Kather seemed displeased by the traces of civilization clinging to us, likening it to the stench of "walls and pigs." He warned of certain death for those who dared to venture westward. "Cross Lake or Falls -- you see what waits. Eyes feed vultures, tongues feed jackals. Teeth found by next fool." Seeking to understand the erratic magic flow, Waydren inquired about the River's twisting course. Ammuva offered a metaphor as explanation: "Life is River -- we like Nomlas in stream. Ripples swell. Still, dead fish float in river. Magic seem like dead fish now -- see dead fish, leave to buzzards -- or eat dead fish, sick for weeks. Too many dead fish, no Balance, and all water no good, too -- all fish dead." Scrutinizing each of us in turn, Anmuva concluded that some of us smelled like we eat dead fish and swim in bad water, expressing bewilderment at such choices. When asked if the source of the water was bad, he responded in the affirmative, "like logs building dam at fork. All fish dying. Dragon think you do it -- Sundreamers think Moon do." After more questioning, he elaborated that the Sundreamers were "ones who know Wild, keep it Wild. Ones who listen to Dragon sing Life," suggesting a reference to Kather Shamans. The meeting erupted in chaos when Atuen lashed out at the Kather. Anmuva reacted with the ferocity of a predator, biting off his attacker's face and spitting the mangled flesh onto the ground, before dissipating into a cloud of birds taking off toward the West. Despite the setback, Waydren remained resolute. "We continue to seek answers. While this trail seemingly led to more questions, there are other trails yet to travel. We compare notes with other capable hunters and strike out again." Lady of Elamiri Ayrell Evyntine, a scholar well-versed in Kather culture, offered a thoughtful perspective. "I feel that the Kather are as confused by what is going on as we are. I think they suffer the same effects and have their speculations, but that Anmuva perhaps sought us the same as we sought him in hopes that we would provide answers to him just as we hoped he would provide them to us." Our quest for understanding the origins of wild magic continues. The encounter with Anmuva held valuable insights, but more investigation is needed to form a complete picture. Stay vigilant, Illiya Assistant Reporter of the First Land Herald

Real Date: Unknown Date

Subject(s): Anmuva Dragon Kather Life Magic Ranger Vela'Tohr Valley Wild Magic

Author(s): Illiya