News Bites From Fractallus
Issue number 2
~Azure August Arsenault ~ Marchioness of Netherby~
Dearest dainty reader, I know you are faint of heart to read about the newest Marchioness. Risen from the endless pools of the Merchant class through the Imperial military ranks as one of the most celebrated Imperial Enforcers to lead and protect our fair people; why, I am practically giddy to introduce you to the incomparable Lady Azure August Arsenault. Newly appointed as keeper of the highly contested former Nethervale, she was given authority by our illustrious Queen and Empress Abionne Megantani II. Now, the newly minted House Netherby. A new land for a new Lady of the Queen’s court.
The exceptionally competent new head of the Imperial Enforcers, Lady Netherby, has not only taken up her post with gusto, opening new offices in member settlements that had none before to steady the rocking after the Unpleasantness. She has organized and gained an official royal charter for a new Knightly order. This New charter rivals that of the Order of the Timeline, allowing the Order of the Cobalt Coda to issue warrants on any case related to Touched or “Enhanced” Human affairs and the Crown to access their records at will.
The Marchioness surrounds herself with other powerful women, like the rest of her Enforcers squad, including Countess Cinnamon Styles, Countess Neisha Adrema, and the young Countess Genevive Adrema. Notables amongst the new Knightly recruits include Lady Lilith Hartstorm, another decorated graduate of the Defenders military academy, and Mazy Auralite, Lady Netherby’s personal council and treasurer of the Cobalt Coda organization.
At the early age of 14 (28 in earth years), the Marchioness has shown herself a woman of true character, one who lives by her words when she took on the Young Lady Francine Emaline (Fontain), now Arsenault, as a ward to guide her continued contributions to the Empire in the wake of The Unpleasantness. She’s also a principal investor in the new Adrema, Adrema, and Styles Adoption Agency: Pairing enhanced humans with their ideal family.
~Sun Worshipper Lily ~
Now, scintillating searcher, I discovered the most dazzling flora on display on my last trip to the Imperial Gardens in Shadowmirre. The Sun Worshipper Lily, direct from the garden of Frandinian Zaymani, the Governor of the state of Zabridian, is a prodigious flaming red and orange lily. Its colors are like the midday sun above the Zabridian desert. It is the size of an orc’s head, with dusty pollen anthers the size of a human’s pinky finger.
This volatile powder must be handled with care. When plucked off and thrown like an alchemical combustible, the fiery powder does about as much damage as an ignited flask of lamp oil. If the pollen is collected and properly utilized, it can be incorporated as a spell or alchemical component to empower fire spells. The addition grants additional fire-blasting heat or brighter light-shedding properties to the spell or potion in question.
Many worshipers of Solemni, the goddess of sunfire, war tactics, and battlefield healing, keep this sacred flower in their gardens and harvest its fiery bounty with her blessing. The governor of Zabridian has even managed to cultivate a prized specimen that doesn’t just sit in a greenhouse or at the center of a labyrinth garden; it extends all the way around the perimeter of his palace, allowing his guards and alchemists to use their power liberally.
Emalenquis
Luckiest Ladies and Gents, I now bring words of wisdom about the Goddess of Luck, Probability, and Self-Determination, Emalenquis. Once widely worshiped across the entire continent of Xeocun, her followers have dwindled. Now revered mainly by the sister races, Gnomes, Halflings, and Goblins, the worshipers have been moved across the face of the continent and redistributed as the Eidru Empire Marched across Xeocun.
Halflings focus on her luck aspect, gnomes focus on her probability aspect, and goblins focus on her self-determination, which is likely why they’re often seen as rebellious and resistant to direction. The Luck weed is Emalinquis’ symbol and a joyous mystical symbol at that.
Halflings all over the Empire tell tales about her miracle, which spreads worldwide without cultivation and multiplies seemingly overnight. The first thing to repopulate a once dry, dead patch of earth is usually luck weeds. The halfling people write many tales and parables about luck weeds that highlight the blessing of luck and the importance of making good decisions.
As any follower of Emalenquis can tell you, luck runs both ways. It takes good judgment and a ready heart to decide whether you will fare well or poorly in a situation. Many say the key to skewing these instances in your favor is carrying a charm charged with “good luck” or an empty charm to soak up the “bad luck.” This seems to be a reasonably effective tactic, as constant vigilance and infinite foresight are not gifts many possess.
Gnomes rely on probability tables and statistics to make decisions. They use these for everything from what to work on to when to start their projects, where to set up a project, and even who should be hired. These are all ingrained parts of Gnomish society, and to stray from them would, by Gnomish standards, mean catastrophic failure.
Goblins focus mainly on Emalenquis’ position as the goddess of Self-determination. Though Goblins are small and relatively weak, they pride themselves on living independently and working hard to earn a wage. This can lead to some looking down on Goblins, seeing them as uncooperative and resistant to assistance instead of self-reliant and hard-working.
Zillain
I take you now, wonderful wanderer, to the most southerly of the triune coastal cities of Zabridian. Zillain is an ancient city cut into the seaside edges of the Zillanian Mesa chain. Three million people spread around, through, and atop the incredible desert formations this undying metropolis is known for. The famed Zabd riders hail from Zillain and ride in the Zillanian arena. The renowned riding Zabd is bred and sold across the state.
The illustrious Dubois Family has been the Duchy in charge of the state for centuries since the area was incorporated into the Eidru empire. Duke Maxim Thoren Dubois and his third lady wife, Blanche Bretanny Dubois, have enacted several popular initiatives since their wedding six years ago.
Popular initiatives include regular free days at the grand arena and the institution of a system where local native Zabridians can voluntarily enter service to nobles for the promise of higher education. They must only work off the debt it costs to educate them. So far, most have stayed employed after their term of service. The Duke’s own daughter, Abionne, hired her handmaiden in this manner. Trinket, a shining example of the program’s success, was one of their first applicants and has gone away with Lady Dubois to school. They are a perfect match.
Desert Huft is the primary grain resource of Zillain; the Duchy is in charge of doling out basic grain supplies to its residents. This is one of the most precious resources and essential responsibilities in a desert land like Zillain. Fortunately, the magic grain Huft can be grown in enough abundance, if appropriately managed, to feed millions of hungry Zabridians year round. Its blank magical canvas is perfect for the callers to bless the simple loaves baked daily by the court-appointed bakers and distributed to the masses, elevating their nutritional value and keeping the populace well-fed and working.
~Dylember Carnival~
Mystical muser, the annual Dylember Carnival is on its way! Held every weekend in Dylember, this most magical of attractions returns to Shadowmirre after a year's hiatus, bringing magical spectacles, games, treats, and shows of all kinds. Once held in honor of Dylenan, traveling carnivals have been a staple of Eidruian summer’s end celebrations for centuries.
Visit a Dobryan Fortune teller and discover your fate. Get a heavenly blessing from a traveling caller and buy your sweetheart an enchanted trinket. The booths always offer a wide range of magical wares in both variety and quality. Dedicated creators who can’t afford a shop work hard all year, many sell out their work over the course of the month. So come early, the first weekend, if you can, to get the very best that the traveling mages of The Empire have to offer.
Of course, there is a bevy of exciting games and magical amusements for the entire family to enjoy. Bring the children to play and win prizes, or bring your lover for a stroll around on a fine summer evening and to impress them with your expert skills. Or at least your good sportsmanship! Good luck at the
~Homeland Newshound (K.B. Silver)
This newsletter is meant to support the serialized book series: Emerald Dreams in an Azure reality. If you haven’t started reading the story Emerald Dreams in an Azure reality
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