FLENCAAL ATROCITIES SPUR TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS: WAR RUMOURED

Thousands dead of strange, wasting diseases; a xenophobic country imposing its own solutions upon the Northern Lands; the director of mass murder on a scale heretofore unknown in history killed by one of the Gifted: these elements and more have resulted in of one of the greatest upheavals of our time, or indeed that our lands have ever known.

The controversy began when it was revealed that a shadowy member of the Flancaal government, known only as "The Consul," had been carrying out a plan to "cull" the populace of her neighbors, eliminating the sick, the wounded, or the weak. This plot was first uncovered among the Gifted, which has been the source of much of the criticism. "I don't know why they wouldn't tell us about it," spoke one New Taeorn notable, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "They weren't the ones doing the dying. It makes you wonder if it was the idea that annoyed them, or that they weren't invited to execute it."

The full story was revealed, however, when reports emerged of Morgan Blackhawk having taken matters into his own hands and killed the Consul. At first, this caused no diplomatic quarrel with the Flancaalese, and Mr. Blackhawk turned himself over to arrest and prosecution. However, a long and bitter argument raged between the Flancaalese Gifted, who believed their leader was well-intentioned but misguided, and other Gifted who found his actions evil and disruptive. Public tensions then soared upon the leaking of a private letter from Mr. Seigfreid von Raevenstorm (in last week's Millenialist) which included the following statement: "The gifted can get away with absolutely anything they want with regard to the common people simply because we are harder than they are. We don't need to argue about it."

This has led to an even greater increase in tensions, with public resentment against the Gifted rising to new levels. The funds set up to help the families of the Consul's victims have been sprung up quickly, but have been outnumbered by the formation of anti-Gifted and anti-Flancaalese militias. Rumours of war have spread with increasing speed, and violence against those gifted not strong enough to defend themselves has become common.

WASTES EXPAND, HUNDREDS SUFFER AS LAND BECOMES BARREN; DISASTER DECLARED

The wasteland surrounding Old Taeorn has expanded dramatically of late. The lines of dark stone monoliths have been expanding out from the center, and nothing within their boundaries survives. The land is desolate, wells are poisoned, people have gone missing, and even the clouds above seem tinted with evil. As Gile McNie, a citizen of a village recently devastated, said to our reporter, "There ain't nothing like waking up to find your children gone, your well poisoned, and your garden ruined."

60 DIE IN RIOTING AND BURNING; POPE HAS THINGS "UNDER CONTROL"

Things haven't descended to the same level of utter chaos that has typified the Papacy in recent years, but the new Pope has a few problems. Telkari, one of the former rebel cities, has seen rioting and burning. It is unclear what caused the rioting; however, swift action on the part of the Pope and his cabinet repaired the damage, with a loss of only 60 lives.

SEA MONSTER SLAIN BY UNKNOWN HERO; FEW OBJECTIONS

Sea monster sightings have come to a halt recently. The south coast has seen a rash of mysterious disappearances on the shipping lines, but suddenly this has subsided.

There have been claims that a great green and purple sea monster, responsible for these losses, has been slain by an unidentified hero, but this is unconfirmed.

MAD WOMEN AND MONSTERS: DID THE GIFTED DESTROY GUR?

Numerous villages in Gur have been inexplicably burnt to the ground. Survivors have told tales of mystical creatures torching their homes while a small madwoman with flaming eyes directed terrible flames at all who would stop her. Few of the reports are consistent with themselves or each other, but all describe the woman's laughter as viscious and inhuman, chilling the very soul.

TEN STARS REMINTS SILVER COINS: COINS CAN'T BUY LOVE OR MONEY

The Ten Stars Trading Company has expanded into the City States and the Northern lands at the expense of the Silver Coins. Apparently, internal schisms in Silver Coins management have left the organization divided and exposed to the business savvy and aggression of the Ten Stars. The larger group now have some of the most profitable trade routes in the Northern Lands. Silver coins merchant Salgin Jim was quoted as saying: "Its an outrage that honest traders are being driven out of business by competitive pricing like this. I think its a scandal that honest merchants like myself have to play petty power politics to be allowed to make a living. I wish that they would just leave the little guys alone..."

LOST AND FOUND

As a service to our readers, the Millenialist prints the following:

1) LOST: Silver Armlet. Contact Godfrey A'Peylion for more information. New Taeorn

2) FOUND: A white rat, not too smelly. Answers to the name of Savage. Contact Limel Whila of Chute, 3rd house on Radpicker's Row.

SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS GETS NEW TUTOR IN CHUTE

Ialo Paola Raducci, reknowned Chute painter of two modern masterpieces, the Wounded Lady of Fading Sunlight and Bright Children of Summer Days, has signed on to the School of Fine Arts. The school has been growing in recent years, with any number of new artists joining.

One of the newest additions is rumoured to be working in Flencaal at the moment, one of the few foreigners allowed in the country. "Of course we don't feel for his safety," stated one of the directors of the institution.

RED DRAGON STAR EDITOR DENIES CHARGES OF THEFT, BLACKMAIL

The Papacy Editor of the Red Dragon Star recently denied rumours that his reporters were gathering secret information on high-level Papacy officials. Pointing to a number of sleezy documents gathered in Red Dragon staffrooms, the Editor allegedly said, "Blackmail? You've got to be kidding! Of course we had smut here: that's all we publish these days!"

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EDITORIAL

Dear Readers:

I know it seems that sometimes, everything is working against us. Those that rule us (Gifted or not), seem to have little coherent strategy. Dark forces are aligned against us, mysterious creatures disrupt our lives and our lands. The Lady of the Void, the Consul, every previously-secret actor on a stage we've barely been able to imagine threaten us with our very destruction.

But keep your faith, keep trust in your god or gods. Those with power have plans afoot, and not all of them are diabolical. Beneath the earth and in the sky, hidden forces are contesting with each other, and light is hardly the weaker force. The goal now is to strengthen those forces we have, and prepare them for the attack which is undoubtedly to come.

Your job, our duty, as fellow citizens, is to prepare the walls against the coming horde. We have seen in recent days the rise of vigilante bands, agitators, and revolutionaries. Their passions are admirable, their purposes less so. Stand together against the darkness, friends, for we shall not survive separately.

-M. F.