With the fading of the Summer months, the Autumn season has arrived – or it would be so if not for the overwhelming power of Anubisath, Witch-King of the North. Even the flowers bloom in wintry apparel as his influence waxes beyond his domains over the rest of Midworld. Although he has suffered more than a few reversals at the hands of the Freefolk, the march of his armies thunders in both Midworld and the Aether. Bitter war continues to engulf Kali-Ishtar, only barely spilling into the other Kingdoms. Many are the powerful Elemental Lords that have pledged their allegiance to him. Similarly, those his minions have captured are given terrible torment and enslaved by powerful winter spirits to fight in Anubisath’s name.

Yet, few have angered the Witch-King more than the heroes and mercenaries of Freehold. They have exchanged blow after savage blow against Anubisath and wounded him, stymieing his power and striking down his machinations. Some believe that Anubisath has his eyes on Freehold and gathers power for a vengeance worthy of their insolence. And like the coming of Winter, it shall be an unceasing, bitter tide.

Dark clouds have soared over salt and sea to gather above the city of Callas Selvarion. The city and the Kingdom are still recovering from the terroristic attacks of the renegade witch Valtherion, but there is talk that the strange clouds that persist through wind and even the weather magics of the Callasine is more than dire portents. The various magic users and even the Queen of Stars herself are said to be preparing powerful wards to combat this potential new threat… or perhaps, the renewal of a previously seen one.

As a final measure, a powerful spell of guardianship and veiling may be cast by the Queen of Stars – but doing so might isolate the Kingdom for too long a period, beyond years or even decades.

In addition to the menacing weather, the docks of Callas Selvarion report the appearance of strange humanoids, clad in marine life and flotsam. The origin of such creatures is unknown but it is suspected that they are related to the disappearances of entire vessels during oceanic voyages.

 Dark clouds gather over the stone city of Muirthemne, despite the magics of the Fir’bolg and even the Arch-Druid. Elemental powers are said to be strong within the depths of these clouds – doubtless, they are the work of Anubisath, Witch-King of the North. Many of the Dyed Men and Drustan warbands have been called back to the capitol in preparation of an aerial siege by Anubisath forces. The Grey Crows and several dozen Priests of Morganna and Marda have also been summoned to cast spells of warding and protection over the stone city of the Fir’bolg.

 Dark clouds cover the skies above Lichtenstein and are believed to be the work of Anubisath. Church of the Lord Reaper and its allied faiths have since begun shoring up the defenses in preparation for another attack from the Witch-King of the North – perhaps even the return of the Killing Wind.

Meanwhile, with a heavy heart and much sorrow, the King-Priest has declared the purge of Krieger Dammerlicht complete. Executors and Slayer-Priests have hunted refugees as far as Ixia and the Labyrinthium, but were allowed no farther. The King-Priest has publicly decreed that he along with a party of his closest advisors and allies will continue looking for the cure for this Umbral Hysteria.

 Dark clouds are encircling Ekthalon, giving rise to fear and terror among the populace. The Shadow beneath the Crown and the Vigil over Patience are working tirelessly with various villages and towns to protect them from an expected onslaught from Anubisath. The wards around Ixia are comprised of powerful magics, but these Orders prefer to err on the side of caution.

Choir Caellinrah welcomes many of their brethren escaping from a genocidal purge in Gottedammerung. The refugees are largely comprised of non-combatants, but there is a significant number of powerful spellcasters and skilled warriors among the incoming groups. Teacher Truthful has convinced the Circle of Teachers to allow these folk in, citing familial ties and space among the Elven Towers in Choir Caellinrah and their vassals. This has also the effect of bolstering the numbers and the relative strength of Choir Caellinrah.

 Dark Clouds surround the frozen stronghold of Ymirheim, capitol of the Chained Kingdom. For his part, the Frozen King Ymir is far from concerned. It is believed that he expects another Killing Wind to strike the Kingdom at its heart but he has great faith in the enspelled walls and structures of his city.

Meanwhile, a great army has struck from the Northern and Eastern borders of the Kingdom. The Burned Men warband have been broken and routed, their Thane perishing in his last stand against the forces of Anubisath and the Witch-King himself. Thrymdul, the Furnace that Walks, was severely wounded by the encounter and has withdrawn to his stronghold. This leaves the rest of the Jotunbrud lands, especially the Lukdrassil, under threat of assault from a new front.

 Dark clouds swirl above the mountain of Dal-Reshik which cradles the capitol of Kali-Ishtar in its depths. This is believed to portend a new doom to befall the Kingdom. It is suspected that that this new phenomenon is simply the harbinger of the Killing Wind’s return, though it might also simply be a new assault intended to outflank the armies of the Kingdom and their allies.

On the side of hope, the forces of Anubisath have withdrawn from the battlefield after their defeat at the City of the Molten River. They have scattered to the four winds, through the air or through aethyric portals. Their return is expected and those allied Kingdoms that have lent aid to Kali-Ishtar are allowed garrison in a part of the city, although their presence is highly policed.

 Dark clouds have sailed across sky and sea from the south to however over the Vicious City. The Qabbalim and the League of Guilders are hard at work preparing spells of shelter and protection against the expected retribution from Anubisath, Witch-King of the North. This is said to be a result of the Kingdom sending aid against the Witch-King in his war against Kali-Ishtar.

Their preparations have been slowed however by reports of a large fleet sailing from the accursed Rainbow Isles and manned by gaunt, monstrous humanoids. Dubbed the Writhing Fleet, these ships appear to be headed toward the Vicious City and expect to arrive there soon to do battle with the Labyrinthium.

The city of the Iron Dwarves has reported dark clouds crowning the mountain that houses it. The Rune-speaker Guild and the Spiral Cabal has dispatched their more powerful members to ascertain the threat while the Throneguard secures the entrances to Malak Travak in preparation for an attack by Anubisath. The menace of such an attack is enough to slow and even halt the industries and trade around Malak Travak, inflicting some injury to the mercantile Dwarves’ economy.

 Arius and Pendrakken forces have routed the armies of House Rayne and their allies. This has forced them to prepare for a final stand at the city of Stormhold. What was the breaking of a would-be lengthy siege is a thing of mystery. Rumors speak of various entrances being surprisingly unsecured flanked by slain guardians and pointing to treachery. In the ensuing chaos of Knight-Commander Medea Arius’ attack, the individuals responsible escaped or were slain – this leaves their identity and their origin largely unknown.

Meanwhile, dark clouds have gathered above Lutharion above the Lake, the Kingdom’s capitol. Members of House Vard and House Macha have been sent to reinforce the city, although this leaves their strongholds vulnerable to attack. The forces of Medea Arius have also been commanded to return by the Ministry but they have yet to send a response.

With the help of the Golden Fleet and House Constantine, significant reinforcements have arrived from Graellengard to Stormhold. The Crimson Fleet has fled the scene – rumors speak of the disappearance of their leader, but more likely, they simply felt less and less committed to a “losing cause”.

 The King in Gold has either sequestered themselves away from all distractions or they have disappeared. Either way, they are proving incredibly difficult to contact. Newly promoted Admiral Gabi Laguna and the mysterious Golden Scribe have taken over logistical duties in the meantime.

A new strain of the Writhing Curse is tearing through the different Fleets. The root of this affliction appears to stem from the resurrection of an ancient Riverfolk hero, Riza the Reader. It is also believed that Riza herself has sent a monstrous Fleet from the Rainbow Isles to the Vicious City of the Labyrinthium, manned by those who have fallen to the Writhing Curse’s grasp.

Spurred by this terrible rumor, the Crimson Fleet have made themselves sparse, including their masked leader. There are a few that work with the other Fleets and have remained, but like rats before the light — they have largely vanished.

Upon their return from the Aether, the Freefolk were able to obtain the Astral Seed, a powerful relic from a forgotten era. With its help, they hope to shatter the creeping stranglehold that their foes have over western Midworld.

Elsewhere, the corrupted witch Valtherion has crafted a “Sundering Tree” that has burrowed its roots and branches across the western Kingdoms. Now, he unleashes Face-takers, Gnashers and other horrors upon mortal denizens and stalwart defenders, all according to his twisted desires. It is believed and feared by many that his Sundering Tree will destroy the veil between the mortal world and the elemental realms of the Aether.

However, what can be done when the enemy works their villainy from an unreachable aethyric domain? How may an adversary be defeated when the power of the Western World Lock allows him to reflect even the strongest of attacks against him? And if he is defeated, what will become of the Western World Lock itself? 

Little is known about the specifics about being a Witch-Monarch and the World-Locks of Midworld, but scholars and sages have managed to pry out some details based on the goings on in Freehold.

First, World-Locks are believed to be the lynch-pins of the veil between Midworld and the Aether, created long ago by the gods or entities of similar power. If they are destroyed or rendered inoperable, the barrier between Midworld and the Aether will unravel and the horrors in that chaotic place can fully invade the world of Mortals.

Second, World-Locks are not true spirits or creatures but Aethyric constructs. They are known to be sentient but amoral. They have two primary manifestations: an object (e.g. a mirror, a skull or a mask) and a form that resembles a humanoid creature.

Third, becoming a Witch-Monarch is intrinsically linked to a World-Lock. A Witch cannot attain such a title without attunement to a World-Lock. In fact, a World-Lock chooses the next Witch-Monarch initiates – those who do not pass its trials are slain by the World-Lock itself. This was the fate of Valtherion ni Shaerach and Kaitlin Cu Siatatha when Ragna Blackstag ascended to become the Witch-Queen of the West.

Fourth and lastly, a would-be Witch-Monarch must possess mastery of all Witch magics and have the favor of multiple elemental Lords. Those who seek out the mantle of the Witch-Monarch and present themselves to a World-Lock have been seen to be slain by a World Lock if they lack the above requirements (and any other requirements of that particular World-Lock). A powerful Witch, Tlaloc of the Itzam Ye, was killed by the Western World-Lock for exactly this reason.

For several moons now, the Freefolk have suffered under the cruel depredations of puppet-like horrors known as Carrionettes. Once tormented by them and now directing them is Valtherion ni Shaerach, formerly of Callas Selvarion and almost a Witch-King of the West. Unfortunately, this individual has not stopped at simply ravaging Midworld with Carrionettes and Face-takers. From his impregnable stronghold, he seeks to rend the very veil between worlds asunder… and with the help of Anubisath and the Western World Lock — his goal is well within his grasp.

To counter this new threat, the Kingdoms of Midworld are working together to find a way to breach his defenses within the Aether and end his mad scheme. The depths of the Aethereal realm must be dredged and a forgotten relic must be recovered– or the Western Kingdoms will fall to the nightmarish horror of the self-styled Prince of Thorns.

Years ago, the Kingdom of the Silver Elves sent an Envoy to Freehold and his name was Valtherion ni Shaerach. A powerful witch in the ways of earth and water, he worked with the heroes among the Freefolk to save the land from ancient evils and from Aethereal threats. He even sacrificed part of his soul in assist them in retrieving faces taken by the monstrous Face-takers.

The records claim that his doom arrived when the Western World-lock, a magical being meant to keep the realities of Midworld and the Aether separate, chose him and several others to become the new Witch-Monarch of the West. Thusly initiated, he and the others endured trial after trial until at last – the World-Lock chose… someone else. He and another would-be Witch-Monarch, Kaitlin Siatatha, were murdered by the World-Lock and the remaining individual, Ragna Blackstag, became Witch-Queen of the West. Their bodies and spirits vanished soon after their death, lost in the Aether until recent events have uncovered their destinations.

A branch of the Sundering Tree has wormed its way into Circel Celeste, the palace of the Silver Kingdom’s ruler. The Sundering Tree is said to be a powerful magical construct wrought by Valtherion, formerly a loyal subject of the Queen of Stars that now seeks her ruin and the ruin of Midworld.

In the savage attack of Facetakers and Carrionettes that followed, many stalwart Knights of the Queen of Stars were laid low. The Callasines were able to fight back the attackers and drive them back into the Aether. A dozen Doom-priests of Cadrafel Ahroun, Elven God of Death, followed their enemies into the Aethereal realms but were never seen again. Several days later, a dozen bloody clerical masks were found at the steps to the Palace.

This follows the strange news of the This runs at the same time as the fact that several high ranking officials within the Court of Stars and senior members of Choir Saerach were found slain by investigators working with the law-enforcing Priests of Athalarian Church. It is believed that these dead individuals were in forced collusion with a powerful demon who had tied its life with theirs. Their secrets and the extent of their corruption is now beyond the reach of the Athalarian crusaders.

A troubled peace has fallen upon Morread as Clan Gohrrim has retreated to their stronghold. This peace did not last overly long however as their holdings reported a massive furred beast that attacked several Gohrimm warbands and left a few maimed Elves as survivors in its wake. The beast’s origin is hotly debated – some claim that it is another demon that fell from the sky and has lain dormant until now. There are some that believe that it is a hound-like monstrosity sent by Clan Drustan to weaken the Gohrimm during their peace. The Clan has yet to march to war and their foe remains elusive.

Not long after the Protector of Morread had settled in Muirthemne, the Kingdom capitol suffered a massive attack of Facetakers and Carrionettes. Survivors report seeing a strange branch rise from the ground right before the assault, which was resisted with no small amount of casualties. Several of Clan Drustan’s mighty heroes, including Vara Mac Drustan, the Protector’s right-hand, were slain when a Facetaker Lord ripped their faces from their prone bodies. 

Krieger Dammerlicht has been declared expunged and their assets have been confiscated by the Church of the Lord Reaper, primarily the Scions of Silence sect. The Twilight Elves in this clan (at least 50, 000 -100,000 people) are in the process of being hunted down and destroyed. The heretics are fighting back vainly — displaying and using corrupted shadowy powers to defend themselves and maintain their corrupt existence.

Magnus von Dammerlicht, leader of the Krieger and beshadowed with dark energies, leads the survivors in unleashing terrible sorcery against the purging forces of the Lord Reaper’s Church and the Creed of the Slayer. But the forces of Gotterdammerung are poised to be victorious in this conflict thus far. The King-Priest is unhappy with this decision and the massive loss in life — he has been advised accordingly by the heroes of Freehold and the Envoy of Gotterdammerung. 

In Ixia, there have been no more reports of Gnomes dying or falling into comas. In fact, those who have fallen into comas have regained consciousness, although many their memories have been lost. The Order of Patience, the gatekeepers of the Gate of Patience, have been going to each one and healing them of their maladies. Their magical rite is said to be an arduous and expensive one – so their progress is incredibly slow.

Meanwhile, Choir Caellinrah and the Celestial Church is shocked and appalled at the genocide occurring in Gotterdammerung. It is believed that they intend to send assistance to the survivors and petition for their acceptance into the Kingdom. Some are already at the Gate of Patience undergoing investigation and inspection under the vigilant eyes of the Order of Patience.

A large force of Face-takers and Carrionettes struck out at Ymirheim but it was crushed by the Frozen King and his servants, the Yig-Ymir. A smaller attack was launched at the Luccari temple at Lukdrassil with a greater effect – wearied by their war with the Solari and the loss of Lucca’s monstrous children, the Luccari were only barely able to withstand the Aethereals’ depredations.

Mercantile members of the Wave-strider warband near Port Dawson report being attacked by the outlaw warband known as the Rune-Eaters. Said outlaws are believed to be laired somewhere in the wilds of the Hinterlands, advancing the agenda of their current master: Anubisath, the Witch-King of the North. 

The battle against Anubisath, Witch-King of the North, has turned in the favor of the Sunless Kingdom has a coalition of foreign Kingdoms has arrived to grant it military assistance and support. Forces from Ixia, the Riverfolk, Gotterdammerung, Jotunbrud, the Labyrinthium, Fir’bolg,  and several other Kingdoms have helped Kali-Ishtar retake Marz-yanna, the City of the Molten River.

It is believed the price of this assistance lay significantly in the return of a Pendrakken prisoner of war that had dared invade the Kingdom. The Sunless Kingdom has sent a small detachment to escort said prisoner back to Pendrakken. This small force was ambushed by masked individuals and almost lost the prisoner but for the involvement of a single person. Little is known of this person, except that she displayed powers attributed to Golemic augmentations. 

There was a massive attack upon the town of Vigil, a new Inthian settlement for the spellcasters of the Qabbalim. The besieging force was comprised primarily of Storm Elementals, Flood Elementals and Storm Adepts in league with Anubisath. Ultimately, they were repelled by the town’s defenders, led by Kritek, Witch-King of the South. Though the casualties were only of some significance, many believe that the attack itself was a testament to the Northern Witch-King’s reach and his resolve in striking out at Kritek.

Meanwhile, tensions against the Riverfolk are rising as more ships have been found crewless and adrift on the open seas. There is a rumor of the true culprit of these attacks: the Writhing Curse of the Riverfolk. This makes little sense however, since the curse affects only those born of the Riverfolk bloodlines.

Travaki interests are advancing and profits are increasing as news of the Syndicate’s downfall reaches more ears and prompts more of the Kingdom’s guilds to invest in the frontier town. A significant factor in this scenario is the busy hand of Penelope Gold-tongue and her expert management of Kingdom interests.

In a minor note, a famine has struck the region around Northwall as crops have produced little and less this season, especially after a difficult winter. The Iron Kingdom is buying and importing crops from nearby towns, such as Freehold, to soften the burden and to feed the workers in the town that are building their highway.

The civil war in Pendrakken continues. Most recently, there was a major battle in the midst of Rayne territory over an important river-crossing. This battle is the bloodiest in the civil war so far and it ends with House Rayne forces retreating from the field. Knight-Commander Medea Arius leads her forces and elements from House Pendrakken ever deeper into Rayne territory, razing holdings and fields on her way to Stormhold where a coalition of House Rayne, House Constantine mercenaries and other forces are gathering. They intend to stop her at Ronan’s Bridge, a week’s ride from the Rayne capitol.

House Graellen has declared its support for the Arcturian cause and has massed troops at the borders of House Vard and House Macha, forcing those Houses to amass military forces of their own to those locations. It continues to support House Rayne from afar with supplies, but hostile forces on land prevent House Graellen from actually sending substantial military aid to its ally. 

Disappearances continue among the Fleets but rumors have pinned the blame primarily on the resurgence of the Writhing Curse. Only through the investigations and discussions of the King in Jade and the King in Crystal have these conclusions been born. According to reports, it has gained in strength and brazenness immensely within the last months. It may just be that they may know more but they are continuously seeking out more and more information. The Golden Fleet has lent them some assistance, but only threadbare amount.

Additionally, there are those that claim to hear strange phrases in the winds, especially the southern winds – the most common of these speaks thusly: “The Reader has awakened”