Greystone Tavern

The past week has been marked by the erection of the new tavern, smaller than its predecessor, and the celebration thereof:

Construction continues on other buildings around town, herbivores and other paid labourers putting in long days to bring the settlement back to rights.

The celebration, attended by the county magistrate, was marked by four tournaments, fought by volunteers. All four were fraught with tension and questions.

In the first match, Captain Broderick collapsed moments after his victory, and his opponent, Meshakk, arrested for assault by poison. He was released the next evening after attending the night's festivities in shackles so that all might know him to be a criminal.

Sergeants Niu and Nimic fought well in the second match, with the final victory going to the latter as the tigress, Niu, lost control of herself and continued the fight even after the match ended.

A similar incident occurred two nights later, when a frightened mouse, Josias, faced off against the same sergeant, Nimic, and carried the fight beyond the time limit. Many exclaimed it to be an unfair match between a burly soldier and a scrawny herbivore, but the mouse fought admirably.

The final match, its opponents carefully selected to ensure an even and entertaining fight, was between Ser Leander and a capable veteran, a hare named Farin. Despite willing participation on both fronts, the hare refused to raise his weapon, and Ser Leander laid down his arms in response. The magistrate accused both of treason for their actions, provoking objections, and Ser Leander laid a challenge to the femme's house, to be met tonight by Sergeant Niu Ti'Keung, squire to Ser Rexington.

For once, the llama rests, no longer calling citizens to attend the matches. The free ale in the tavern has come to an end, back to its usual price of 2 coppers a pint.

With the outcome of the match between Sir Leander and Squire Niu coming out in Leander's favour, there is a small and raucous celebration in the herbivore pens as one of their own returns, unharmed. Despite the relief, an undercurrent of dread remains.

Relief turns into horror. Farin's head was found outside the tavern this morning, stuck on a pike with a sign that read:

TRAITORS WILL BE PUNISHED.

Reports of something smelling putrid by lorewood forest, can be heard from the patrolling guards.

Tensions rose leading, to a public altercation between the knights Ser Rexington and the Knight Leander some nights ago. The end result lead to Leander being accused as the traitor "Narsuun", and greystone's soldiers splitting down the middle between each Knight.

Leander holds the Barracks, Rexington holds the goals and jail house.

-Is Leander "Narsuun"?
-Do you support one side?

(Are, you hearing the same dramatic announcer voice in your head as I am!?)

Tune in next time, on the Daily 'Stone!

Winter


The snow does not seem to be stopping, the wind keeps blowing, the skies remain grey. It doesn't look like this year's winter will be kind.

Travel
TRAVEL WILL BE DIFFICULT.

The weather ranges from light sprinkles to sporadic, blinding blizzards.
The rain, from the previous days has aided in freezing roads and trees, on top of snow piling on the roads.

It will be nearly impossible to get in and out of Greystone so, plan for delays in reaching one's destination and returning to Greystone! (If it takes 3 days, it will now take 6).


Walking - You'd have to be crazy to do any foot travel by this weather. If, your trip takes a day by foot, plan for a three week delay.

Ostrix or Carts - Nearly impossible, it will be difficult it will be strenuous. Expect a two weeks delay unless one has a mage with them, to help deal with the weather then expect it a week's and a half's travel!

Air - Suicide. While not impossible it is dangerous and will not be the easiest, coziest of flights for ships or hawks. Winds will buffet the rider and ships. One has to leave when the storm is at its lightest or on one of the rare clear days. This is exhausting on all levels but still will likely be the fastest method of travel. With proper planning and luck, travel should take 6 days, (-1 or -2 days with a mage escort).

Trade route notes:

All trade routes are closed off unless people are sending Player Characters to get supplies.

Those that are hunting find that wild game is encountered significantly less than what it was a week ago. It must be the hunters scaring off the game.

With the leave of winter and the arrival of spring the weather has cheered up considerably, however a lot of the locals seem to have taken the earliest opportunity once the snow melted to take their already packed belongings and vacate the area rather quickly. A lot of apartments and local houses appear abandoned and there always seems to be room at the tavern/inn despite it's limited private rooms available, while the guard presence appears to have dwindled in numbers significantly also. The few locals that remain provide some vague rumours as to why the area has recently become rather deserted.