REQUIEM WIKI

Article By Sammie Walsham

Poverty. A plight upon this once great Republic. A seed sown by the idleness and indolence of the foreign invaders from the west who threaten our very way of life. These ‘refugees’ suckle from the teet of our success. A tumor that, if we allow it, shall spread and consume the whole. But fear not, good Decusians, for our stalwart friends and allies of the Foundry would not see us so suffer in squalor for the sins of these invaders!

It is with great joy that I report the opening of a brand new apartment complex within Fort Praesidium. A joint effort between our loyal protectors The Foundry and hard-working Decusians of the Province. These fine apartments are outfitted with every modern commodity a civilized Decusian could hope for. Including technological marvels that were once exclusive to only the wealthiest of Prelacy!

Fresh running water to quench even the mightiest of thirsts! No longer must you wash in the river like a common civilian, for these fine apartments come with rooms designated solely for washing and hygiene! And after you’ve washed and groomed, fear no draft or chill within these luxurious domiciles for, through the miracle of science, heat is pumped throughout! And that’s not all…

Electricity.

You did not misread that, fine reader, and as you know I would not lie to you. EACH and EVERY one of these fine homes is outfitted with an endless supply of electrical current. By the grace and guidance of our hosts, The Foundry, the modern era has arrived within the First Province! As unbelievable as that may sound what is even more inconceivable are the prices of these wondrous apartments.

For but paltry pocket change you may find yourself living within one of these fine homes. With price points to accommodate every walk of life, from the lowly refugee to the wealthy entrepreneur. Be it the spacious interior of a high-rise apartment or the tranquil warmth of a basement-dwelling, all may now find a home within this unforgiving land thanks to our friends at The Foundry.

You may locate these homes north of the market district just past the tavern. Make haste, loyal readers, for it is only a matter of time before all of these properties are claimed and you find yourself doomed to live as a savage once more.

WONDROUS WARES: Feeding the First Province one food stall at a time! Find our vendors located at Fort Praesidium's Craft Hall and the blue-roofed booth on Market Lane!

A Call to Arms by Gryhun Kren

Over time, these dolls began to break down and sprout mysterious blackened plants. There is one important take away which I seek to prove above all else, this is an attack on all of us, our way of life.

Initially the plants were an enigma, no one had seen anything like them before. It was not until the second stage of these plants’ growth cycle did we find our thoughts turning to worry. Spherical shaped growths began to bloom, and it began to react differently. Unlike other plants when exposed to fire, the leaves would recoil away from any flame as if they were intelligent. The spherical growths would explode and spread spores which quickly sunk into the ground. Now that we understand the plants to be wholly unnatural, we have a justified unease about them. We had not yet discovered the intent of their placement or whereabouts they originated.

It was the third cycle of growth brought the true horrors of what lied in store. Existing plants blossomed into glowing flowers, and grew back with ferocity where we had once thought them successfully removed. The plants have developed a new way to defend themselves and began to spring living vines which moved independently, taking to fight off anyone or anything who should approach it. Simultaneously began the reports of ashen white animals had been spotted. One such report detailed a large white eagle attacking the Fort, able to rip stones from the walls with ease. Another a great white stag, with an unhinged jaw spilling out unsettling tendrils.

So with a newfound sense of urgency, a small gathering of First Province residents banded together to attempt various methods to remove the growths. First, we tried fire, which exasperated the issue, releasing spores which sprung into vines upon contact with soil. Salt proved more effective, and as the moisture was withdrawn from the soil, the roots dried leaving but a husk, unable to release its spore. the plants instantly shriveled as the salt withdrew the moisture from the soil. We took this knowledge with us north to some known areas of growth, where we were ambushed by pagans who sought to defend the growths. At long last we saw the face of our enemy.

We have had more skirmishes with the pagans since this revelation. Later, on an unrelated expedition to the southern peninsula the White Eagle landed close to a the hunting group of which I was apart. It was deftly taken down by Artemis Trizz and his great bow, but when its body hit the ground, nothing remained, it exploded into ash. Shortly after, we were assaulted again by a group of pagans, bringing with them a startling message:

“The Withering Bloom comes. You shall be reaped for the Withering Bloom. Our gods shall herald the Withering Bloom. In their death you all shall be reaped for the Withering Bloom. You know not the hunger that awaits.”

Most recently, just north of the First Torian’s fortifications while attempting to dispose of one of the plants, a group of pagans attacked us. Upon their defeat more of the living vine plants burst from their chest and attacked. Afterwards, the bodies of the pagans were examined. All of them had their hearts removed and within the chest cavity were a number of thorns, hinting at a stark possibility that they inhaled the spores and it grew from within. A pure white ashen imperial reed cat approached afterwards. It had a power not usual for animals, let alone people. With a single swipe of it’s paw the wind howled, when it roared the ground shook and it possessed the ability to turn itself invisible. It attacked and we were able to put the beast down and salvaged some of its ashes along with a portion of the plant itself.

Despite all these answers coming forward there were still many questions that needed to be answered. I took it upon myself to reach out to an old friend, a man wise in the way of plants and nature who was a member of the Consortium. My contact referred to the individuals behind this threat as pagans that have been corrupted and tainted. As those who eat the flesh of their own kind, as these cannibals have, are no longer human in the eyes of a true practitioner.

Further investigation led to the discovery of an un-sprouted doll, still holding spores. We surmised that the spores were an amalgamation of two different plants. The first plant is not native to the Province, and known to expel its seeds when it comes in contact with fire. While the other plant species was confirmed to be originating from the corrupted depths of the Eyeless caverns.

It is well known that many of us use fire to deal with several of our problems. We burn the bodies of the tormented so that it does not spread, we burn fields if they become infected with torment cysts, and we burn bodies so that they do not rise again as the walking dead. A plant deliberately made to spread by working against our nature is nothing less than an attack.

Should anymore plants pop up do not burn them. Salt is the most effective way to deal with them without making the problem worse. Somewhere out there is a mother plant that spawned the spores that were distributed to our homes. Finding it is of the utmost importance to answering many questions and to hopefully put an end to any further issues.

Some of the brightest minds in the Province have begun to research our findings, details of which shall be made public when they become available. Yet this revelation brings more questions to light; Are these pagans victims of an outside force using them as an experiment or did they willingly infect themselves? Be they unknowing victims or willing participants; their existence is a danger to our homes, our people, and our way of life. We need to send a message back to them.

We will strike back at their home and let our voices be heard in force. They speak to us with blood and blood is how we must respond. I call on all able-bodied residents of the province to join me in making our message clear. We will gather on the roof of the Hearth in Hale tavern within Fort Praesidium on the 22nd of Icereign where my plan shall be made known and they shall feel the weight of consequence crush upon them.

[EVENT SCHEDULED FOR 22nd of January, 2022 at 2:00PM EST]

FALL BACK TO YOUR FAVORITE COLORS! Fall-inspired PREMIUM clothing dyes are now available for purchase for a LIMITED TIME by traveling vendor Tynna Craycraft located at the Bright Lantern’s Rushlight Emporium! Get these ONE OF A KIND dyes before they’re gone!

Article by Mackey Madison

Adventurers beware, a mad fisherman is on the loose! Seen casting his rod at the northern falls, this crazed fellow's curses and bemoans can be heard echoing across the water. Of primary complaint however is not interlopers treading upon his fishing spot, but his back.

“Owe, my back!” he loudly complains. “I'm so old!”

In addition to his laments, the fellow boasts his prowess in combat.

“I never lose a fight! Not when I've had me fueled up on G!”

The reference to 'G' remains a mystery to this day, but suspicions are abound. Leading experts conclude he may be referencing a particularly caustic alchemical concoction that boosts energy at the expense of probable organ failure. Readers are advised not to engage in the consumption of 'G', whatever it may be.

Those who wish to test the odds and fight against this fisherman, may be able to pull his catch of the day. You can teach a man to fish, and he'll be fed for a lifetime. If you beat the fish out of a man, then you don't really need to learn how to fish at all!

KM&A REPAIR DEEDS: Kaelius Mercantile & Acquisitions is proud to offer all your repair needs conveniently located in one place! Now selling legendary repair deeds for blacksmithing, tailoring, engineering, and carpentry located at the blue wagon in front of the Foundry Mercantile Zone - just steps away from the Foundry General Store to hand them in!

REPORTERS WANTED! Interested in writing for the Frontier Herald? Leave word for Jeane Harlow at the Foundry’s General Store located southwest of Fort Praesidium to get involved in the upcoming issues!