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MAGICAL ANIMATE IN MURDEROUS RAMPAGE AT MIRRORMANE
Dateline: 13-
A magically-
“My Estate knight Sir Hackforth Hornby was the victim of a deliberate and pre-
An announcement from the Royal Courts promptly outlawed the creature. “Magical Investigation reveals that the creature is attached to an Estate. Consequently, all servants of that estate have been Outlawed and the Estate itself sanctioned by the Courts,” a court spokeman proclaimed.
The creature bore the insignia of the Falkone Estate, and all Estate staff loyal to its former baron Uryen d’Agrillac are already under sentence of outlawing.
Baroness Farissa de’Torfane, Uryen’s daughter, said “One feels a certain amount of guilt at this situation as it was at my instigation as First Royal Adventurer that members of my family placed animates in various courtyards for their protection. This one has possibly run amok due to the death of its creator.”
The creature subsequently proceeded south on the main highway, killing a further six people who tried to stop it, before being destroyed by Lady Faile, the Lord Crusader of Shanna, who fortuitously happened to be passing.
Such creatures have become a common sight in Bereny, especially around the vicinity of dungeons, and are summoned by magic known to the enchanter’s Guild The Assembly.
A spokesperson for The Assembly told us “It is not unheard of for magical animates unconnected with The assembly to run amok, especially if they have outlived their summoner and are no longer under direct control. However there has never before been such an incident involving an animate summoned by a member of The Assembly. We can only speculate that with the original summoner of this animate being dead and with the Estate from which it took its orders in a state of anarchy and insurrection, that this precipitated its homicidal state. We have reminded all our members that they are responsible, legally and morally, for the actions of their summonings and we are confident that there will be no repeat of this incident.”
‘VAMPIRE COUNCIL’ SPEAKS UP FOR UNDEAD
Dateline: 21-
A number of individual vampires who hold adventuring licences from the Kingdom of Bereny have announced that they are to form an organisation calling itself ‘The Vampire Council’.
The announcement was made by Lady Cambrion Winterfall, leader of the so-
“The senior members of The Blood have agreed to the formation of a 'Vampire Council' as the official voice of Bereny Vampires,” said Lady Cambion in her statement. She called on all vampires to contact the Council to discuss participation within its ranks, as well as “blood toys, blood dolls and any others sympathetic to the family”. Blood toys and blood dolls are believed to be terms used by vampires to describe those under their thrall whom they use to feed their hunger for human blood. It is not clear whether the Council is open only to vampires with an adventurers licence or whether those that haunt the Poldoon’s sewers and dark places preying on its citizens are also invited. “It is of the utmost importance that vampires, as a family, speak with one voice to avoid confusion and misinterpretation,” said Lady Cambion in her announcement.
The announcement was met with suspicion and condemnation by leading Church figures. High Priest Morgut said “Almost all vampires are ravening monsters only concerned with satisfying their foul needs .... That the Crown allows such in Bereny!”
“Dei Vigilare would profoundly hope that The Crown would not extend legitimacy to an association of undead,” added Baron Amdrel Gettleman, Dei Eligere of the order of religious adventurers. The Lord Crusaders of Shanna and Marial were also quick to speak up to condemn the creation of the organisation and confirm their Orders’ opposition to the undead.
“A guild consisting entirely of members who are not subjects of the Crown will not receive "official" status, unless I order it so,” announced the King. “I would require an astonishingly good reason to give such an order in this case. Still, an unofficial guild can achieve much, and perhaps even impress the King in the process.”
One of those cited as being a founder member of the Council is Count Hellstromm, who has been accepted as a citizen by the Royal Commission on Adventuring Monsters and now sits on the Commission. He called for moderation on all sides. “The High Priest's words are worrying and carry much weight with many people; I hope that none of them are rash enough to put into action what he has condoned. The kingdom is in a weakened state and we must all stand together for the good of Bereny. What the kingdom does not need is a split in its adventuring community or in its people over the vampire question.”
Dateline: 31-
His Grace Dirk Steadfast has been crowned King of Bereny. The coronation of the King took place on New Years Eve at the Royal Palace in Crownheart in front of several hundred invited witnesses and dignitaries.
The magnificent Crown of Bereny was brought to the throne on a velvet cushion by the royal heir, Drake Nathaniel Steadfast Tredach, before being set upon King Dirk's brow by the High Priest of Bereny, Holy Father Morgut Turnipcutter.
This was greeted with thunderous applause by the audience of Dukes, Barons, Guildleaders, and other assorted members of the Royal Family and their friends. His wife Duchess Juliette was enthroned by his side as Queen of Bereny.
“In accordance with his long-
Following the Coronation, bells rang out across the city to announce the beginning of the new reign, and a large crowd of citizens gathered before the Palace to celebrate, hear the official proclamation, and cheer the new King. King Dirk emerged briefly onto a balcony of the Palace to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd, although his appearance was marred by a bizarre and sinister occurrence.