Korranberg+Chronicle,+Wir,+Eyre+1,+998+YK

//Wir,Eyre 1, 998 YK//
 * Korranberg Chronicle**

Yesterday was the sixth major encounter with monstrous raiders along the Breland-Droaam border in almost as many weeks. The battles have recently been escalating in both frequency and intensity. Areas that have been attacked include the military outposts Orcbone and Castle Arakhin, as well as the town Shavalant. The reason for the rise in attacks is not yet known, but King Boranel has made it clear that he will not stand for it any longer. He has been quoted as saying that it may be time to, “put an end to the threat Droaam and the Daughters of Sora Kell present to the peaceful nation of Breland.” Earlier this morning, a spokesperson for the royal court announced that it had increased its military strength in the area by supplementing it with mercenaries of House Deneith. He also says that the mobile fortress Argonth would spend a greater part of its patrol along the Droaam border and that an open call for all willing fighters would be held to deal with the threat. The spokesperson made it clear that at the moment there was no intention of crossing into Droaam to seek out and eliminate the threat, and with any hope such actions would not be necessary.
 * __Breland Border Skirmishes on the Rise__**

Another body was found in the high rise towers of Sharn on Sol. The murder took place the night before and was discovered later that morning by a young boy. The victim, 24 year old Shara Kal, had her body mutilated with the words “The blast of Cyre missed you, but I will not” etched into her back. It is the third such murder to take place in the city, the previous two being 28 year old Bren Stylbek and 46 year old Cyrian military veteran Grom Sharpsword. All three victims were killed in the same manner, with the same words etched into their backs, and all were refugees of tragic Cyre. The refugee community of New Cyre is in an uproar, fearing that the Slayer of Cyre’s Children, as he is now being called, will soon gather support and Cyrian prejudice will grow to a breaking point which could lead into a major conflict. Oargev ir’Wynarn could not be reached for comment, but several of his courtiers suggested that he believes this to be an isolated incident which does not reflect the general attitude of Breland’s population toward New Cyre and other Cyrian refugees. Several suspects have been taken in for questioning, but the true murderer seems to have evaded the law up until now. Even King Boranel’s elite King’s Swords have failed to turn up any clues. It is speculated that the murderer possesses potent magical items to aid him in getting away. Currently, the Breland government is offering a reward for the capture, or any information leading to the arrest and conviction, of the Slayer of Cyre’s Children.
 * __Breland Authorities Stumped, Killer Still Loose__**

Today at noon a single tower fell in the city of Sharn, causing great destruction and chaos. The resulting devastation of the Quill Token Library caused 112 casualties and 14 deaths. The quick response of House Jorasco helped to curb the death toll and took in the wounded for immediate medical treatment. An investigation of the cause is currently underway, but unofficially it is believed to have been a terrorist act, however no group has yet claimed responsibility. While the consensus of the investigators believes terrorism, one man is not convinced. Inquisitor Marcus Quiksite says it could not be terrorism, “because if a terrorist is going to strike, they would do so in a way to cause the most destruction and loss of life possible. They want attention and anarchy. If that’s what you want, you strike at a merchant hall during peak hours, or a symbolic place such as the Silver Tower, which represents the financial might of the city and nation. It doesn’t make sense to destroy a library while it’s nearly empty.”
 * __Tower__** **__Falls__** **__in Sharn, Terrorists Suspected__**

Last far it is reported that a human assassin of unknown origin was sent to Darguun, infiltrated the nation, and attempted to take the life of Lhesh Haruuc. Lhesh Haruuc is the leader of Darguun and a strong proponent for peaceful coexistence within Khovaire. It is well known that Lhesh Haruuc has many enemies among the numerous Dhakanni clans of his country, and though many of the common races fear he will attempt to recapture the old Dhakanni Empire, he has so far stood on good terms with the greater part of the continent. However, the assassin that failed in his attempt was captured and is reportedly human. Lhesh Haruuc has sent a message to the whole of Khovaire stating his outrage at such base attempts to undermine his dream of creating a great goblinoid nation. He is determined to resume structuring a peaceful government with a strong economy, and states that any further attempts at his life will fail as the first. The human assassin has not been claimed by any nation, nor has he been named, but Lhesh Haruuc says after questioning the assassin stated to be working for a coalition of the four greater nations of Khovaire with clandestine plans of destroying the Dhakanni threat once and for all. Though Lhesh Haruuc is reported to disbelieve in such a joint operation against him, he is also taking every precaution against it. The official statement from the major governments being accused discredits the assassin’s claims. In fact, many are pledging assistance in discovering the truth. In an effort to both uncover the truth and make an example of the assassin, Lhesh Haruuc is going to execute the prisoner in one week if the malefactors of his nation do not step forward. He did not say how, but Lhesh Haruuc let on that if no one steps forth, it will be an unforgettable event for the entire nation.
 * __Lhesh of Darguun Holding Would-Be Assassin__**

Baron Merrix d’Cannith has put out a reward for the capture of two warforged which murdered a scion of the Cannith House and escaped the Sharn enclave. The victim, 39 year old Yabbi d’Cannith, was found murdered in the lower level of the enclave due to a knife wound. Baron Merrix, who received a blow to the head, witnessed the murder by the pair of warforged servants. The Baron was then struck and the living constructs fled the scene. It is unclear exactly why the warforged acted as they did, but the Baron, whose grandfather began the experiments of sentient constructs and whose father perfected it with the warforged, suggests it may be a new kind of malfunction unseen in warforged design which could cause mental instability. He does not think it is widespread or common for warforged, nor contagious to warforged, but also suggests it may have resulted from some isolated mistake in the creation of the two at the creation forge. “Whatever the cause,” he said, “the two must be recaptured alive for examination to determine the exact nature of the problem.” The reward, which is said to be quite substantial, requires the two warforged to be returned alive and unharmed. They call themselves Adam and Eve and each has a distinctive mark at the base of their necks which looks like rising sun. Be warned, if you encounter the two renegade warforged, use extreme caution. If you have any information concerning their whereabouts, you may send a free message via your local Sivis House to the Sharn branch of House Cannith.
 * __Two Warforged Wanted for Murder in House Cannith of Sharn__**

As an ancient order resurfaces during a period of apparent dormancy during the Last War, a group of fanatical followers have branched off and are causing disaster for House Lyrandor, House Orien, and Zilargo in general. The Cult of Four is a group of spellcasters seeking power through the four elements: earth, air, water, and fire. This group is said to have existed even before humanity crossed the ocean to reach the continent of Khovaire. This group not only seeks power from the elements, but also philosophical enlightenment and a means to maintain balance among the elements. However, after a branch off from the main tenets, a fanatical group is targeting great vessels which utilize the power of elementals as a means of locomotion. Their claim is that the enslavement of elementals upsets the delicate balance which the Cult of Four struggles to maintain for the good of Eberron. So far, the group has crashed several airships of House Lyrandor, destroyed a number of House Orien’s elemental-powered caravans, and disrupted production of such vehicles in Zilargo factories, where gnomes originated the technique of binding elementals into vehicles. While they do this, they are calling for the abolishment of elemental slavery. The number of casualties is small, and the death toll remains in the single digits, but that could change at any moment. After a failed attack on the Lightning Rail in Karrnath which was thankfully repelled, King Kaius III has declared this offshoot of the Cult of Four an enemy of the people and the nation’s economy. He has requested the cooperation of all the dragonmarked houses and the nations of Khovaire in stopping this terrorist threat. The Cult of Four has officially apologized for the atrocities of its brethren and is currently seeking their own means to bring their fanatical members to justice.
 * __Cult of Four Strikes Again__**

Tension is mounting in Aundair between Queen Aurala and the dragon marked houses of Khovaire. It has long been rumored by the dragonmarked houses that the Queen has been giving special privileges to House Vadalis for her marriage to Sasik d’Vadalis. This has been a source of controversy for quite a while and has caused a great deal of suspicion toward the Queen’s fairness toward the other houses. In fact, many houses have been lobbying for laws that would guarantee no special privileges for House Vadalis could be given without agreement from a majority of the dragonmarked houses. Now however, it seems this once benign situation has risen into a full scale scandal. Neram Jistlam, a non-marked scion of House Vadalis and a personal servant of Sasik, was the main suspect in the murder of noble William d’Cannith, the greatest opponent of Queen Auala’s marriage to Sasik and the most outspoken for the new proposed laws. Though Neram proclaims innocence and Sasik claims to know nothing about the murder, many of the dragonmarked houses believe Sasik ordered for William’s death in an attempt to eliminate opposition. Queen Aurala has called for a full investigation of the matter and announced a public trial for Neram. She has not commented on her opinion towards Neram’s guilt or innocence, but she has made very clear she does not believe Sasik had any involvement in the murder. It would seem, however, that Queen Aurala is caught between the proverbial Siberys and Khyber. It is of common attitude among the houses that if Neram is found innocent it will only prove the Queen’s favor for House Vadalis. However, if Neram is found guilty, the houses will push for an investigation of Sasik and his alleged link to the murder.
 * __Political Heat Growing in Aundair__**

Well, get the kids ready for the festivities on Sar eve! The much anticipated first annual National Poultry Day will start off its festivities in Fairhaven. Several of the planned events include the Chicken Chase, Race that Bird, a bird calling contest, and a magical and exotic bird exposition. Of course there will be exotic and fun finger foods, ale gardens, and a magical fireworks show after twilight. Here is a breakdown of some of the planned events. The Chicken Chase is for children between 5-10 years old. A street will be closed of while the children line up for the game. After the whistle, 50 chickens will be conjured the fun starts. The children will chase down the chickens in an attempt to grab hold of one. Those who managed to get a chicken will keep it as a prize for a fine dinner or a pet. The children who don’t manage to nab on of the quick Chicken Littles will receive a voucher for a small bag of candy. 'Race that Bird' will be for adults with bird riding experience. Anyone with a large bird which can be used as a mount may enter, though entries are limited to mundane and magebred nonmagical creatures. An entry fee of 50 sp is required. The race is a straight path 5 miles long and will include obstacles suited for both aerial and overland racers. The first place winner will receive 100 gp and an invitation to attend Queen Aurala’s Ball to be held on the 14th of Eyre. The bird calling contest is open to all ages. No entry fee is required, and the only rules for the contest are no magic or mechanical outside assistance. Participants will be judged on the distinctness of the call, difficulty, quality, and how closely it matches the call of an actual example of the species. The three top bird callers will receive special plaques custom engraved with their names and Queen Aurala’s signature. Finally, an exotic and magical bird exposition will be held by bird collectors and scholars. Birds from all over the realm will be on display for the public to see. The more dangerous examples will be sedated and magically warded against. There will also be a children’s petting zoo for the more domesticated birds where kids can pet and interact with various, harmless bird species.
 * __First Annual National Poultry Day in Aundair__**