Kintsugi Tower Explodes, Council Election Called

In a startling display of pyrotechnics, the landmark Kintsugi Tower exploded and collapsed. Details remain sparse, but early reports indicate that Chancelor Orrin activated the magical power of the tower to achieve some unknown end, though credible rumors indicate it involved opening a portal to the lower planes and summoning an Archdevil, and the rest of the Council followed to assist. As the magic surged around the tower, monstrosities and aberrations appeared outside the tower, and Indomitable Bradford and the Defenders held them off while brave adventurers ventured inside to help the Council.
Accounts of the events inside the tower vary wildly, but it is clear that the heroes were scattered along with the council members and that all of the adventurers faced dire trials and strange events.

It is unknown what caused the tower to collapse, but it was impossible to miss the massive explosion of magical energy that preceded the tower’s fall. Magical energy radiated outward from the tower and spread from horizon to horizon. Then the top of the tower imploded, ejecting the adventurers who survived the experience outside the tower.
Marshal Veil, Jorpot the Shinyman, and Grenmöre were among those killed during the events, and Selene immediately called for the election of a new Council to ensure Brightshore’s continued prosperity.

Editorial Submission: Errol Twice-blessed

Friends and Neighbors,

I write to you today in response to the monumental change Brightshore has seen in the last month. The destruction of the Kintsugi Tower has shaken us all. It had stood as a pillar of consistency since before Brightshore was founded and now that it is gone, it is only natural for us to question what the future has in store for our fair town. Undoubtedly some will take it as a harbinger of the future; that more pain and suffering are in store for we who have already suffered so much. Some will take the opportunity that Captain Sol is providing with his voyage to the Smoking City; I can not fault them for that. Brightshore has not been what I expected. Perhaps some normalcy can be found beyond the fog. I pray you brave souls will find what you are seeking. But many more of us will stay in Brightshore, for it is our home and we will continue to make it a beacon for those who fight oppression; a place where neighbors stand together and help each other in any way they can. We will strive to make it a more perfect community, knowing that while we may not reach “perfection,” we will attain excellence.

For those who stay and continue our journey, we have an opportunity not often granted. For the first time since I arrived, we have the chance to reshape the Council of Brightshore. With so many former council members lost and unable to continue this monumental service to Brightshore, the new council will certainly look much different. There are many outstanding options for us to choose for the council. Truly we would be blessed to have any of them serve, but there are a few that stand out from among all these exceptional candidates. I hope you’ll indulge me as I sing their virtues.

First and foremost among the potential candidates is Cleo Catra. Of all the friends I’ve met in my time in Brightshore, Cleo is the one who has always put the needs of the town ahead of her own. I truly believe that in her mind we are all her family and anyone who knows her knows how hard she would fight for those she believes in. I don’t know if she would accept a council membership, and if she declined it would surely be because she felt she could do the most good being out in the wilderness beyond our walls, identifying threats, and protecting us in countless ways. I hope she’ll get the chance to make that decision.

Among the existing council members there is one who has already done much to change the nature of the council. I believe he deserves more time on the council to continue his mission. Malcolm Bradford, the newest member of the council, the inaugural indomitable, has a clear head and a willing and able sword arm. He has many times shielded others in danger. If not for him I shudder to think of what would have happened at the Battle of Brightshore, or when the Owl and his minions arrived, or when the chaos happened at the tower. There are countless other times he has been instrumental in the protection of Brightshore. I implore you to vote, as I will, to return this true Defender of Brightshore to the council.

My third recommendation may come as a bit of a surprise for he is a polarizing figure to many. In the nearly two years I’ve spent in Brightshore I’ve found no one more compassionate and caring, though he may not like me to say such a thing. I speak of Sir Galvan Gost. I have seen this man interact in the kindest of ways with the youth in the farms beyond our walls. I have seen him stand alone against overwhelming odds while extolling his companions to escape as he covers the retreat. On one particularly dark day, I joined him in an attempt to recover his most cherished friends from kidnapping. I have no doubt he would gladly have traded places to grant them freedom. I believe he would do the same for any of us. Galvan would be a great addition to the council.

As for the remaining candidates, I’m not sure we can go wrong with any of them. Enkeh Nere has been in Brightshore since birth and I believe we all know she is destined for greatness. Perhaps it is time she joined the council. Fallwood, the druid, is among the wisest people I know. Compassionate and caring, fiercely protective, he would be another great candidate. My good friend Ezra has a unique perspective on the world. He has seen so much over so many years, perhaps he should help guide our path into the future. Baern Wildeheim is another fine option, for although he is a young dwarf, he has been with so many of us since the founding of Brightshore and truly has its best interests at heart. These are just a few of the candidates who I can vouch for. Truly, any of the candidates would be good choices.

As for myself, I would be honored if you considered me for a council position. If you were to elect me, I would spend all my free time doing everything in my power to make Brightshore a better place for all of us. They call me “Twice-Blessed”, but if you were to elect me to the council, I would consider myself Thrice-Blessed. Rest assured, whether I am elected or not, I will continue to serve all of Brightshore in any way possible.

I thank you for your time.

-Errol Twice-Blessed

Lavonia Lost

Lavonia has been officially stricken from the maps as the latest attempt to establish contact found the colony in ruins.

Lavonia was a village started over a year ago by a band of ambitious explorers and settlers looking to start their own colony apart from Brightshore. They had hoped to build a point of contact between Brightshore and the halfling tribes to the south. However, they settled farther afield than the Council had recommended, choosing a spot by an uncharted river at the edge of the woods, about two-weeks’ travel away. They were supposed to report back to the Council regularly, but if they were sending messengers, they never reached Brightshore. All attempts made by the Council to reestablish contact with them failed.
Seven months ago, a group of adventurers set out to the colony and found that the villagers had been afflicted by some sort of curse that transformed them into monsters with the heads of bulls. The adventurers were able to reverse the curse, and the determined colonists continued to live in the area, despite the obvious perils their chosen location posed.

A month ago, another party was sent to try and make contact once more. This time, they found the colony in ruins and discovered that it had been attacked by cyclopes. Although the party succeeded in defeating the cyclopes and rescuing the survivors, only five colonists were still alive by that time.

The Council (this was before they were disbanded, following the destruction of Kintsugi Tower) remained interested in sponsoring attempts to establish new outposts in the wilderness, despite Lavonia’s tragic end, but recommended a closer, more defensible location for the next attempt. But now that the Council has been shattered, this may have to wait until after the votes have been counted in our upcoming election.

Letter from the Ambassador of the Dark Forest

Dear citizens, but mostly adventurers, of the great city of Brightshore:

As many of you are aware, the Dark Forest to our city’s southeast is a place popular for going on quests and adventures. At this time, I would like to urge you to look elsewhere. Our city is currently involved in diplomatic negotiations with denizens of the Forest who desire peace, and incidents could prove not just hazardous to yourself, but to the city as a whole. If you have urgent need of something in the area, or have additional questions, please speak to Ambassador Vesfyria Pyrehart, normally in the Grove but spending a fair bit of time in town this month.

-Ambassador Vesfyria Pyrehart

Lighthouse Construction Begun

Reports indicate that the ruins of the ancient lighthouse on Lookout Isle have been cleansed of undead by a band of adventurers.They reportedly braved numerous undead and a number of deadly traps before accomplishing their goals.

Though there is no reported undead activity, a handful of builders entered the ruins below the lighthouse and were swiftly killed by some of the cleverly hidden traps that remained untriggered. Access to the tunnels has since been blocked off and further exploration of the tunnels banned, while work has resumed above-ground.

Additionally, there are reports of a strange cliffside temple on the island, and it appears to be dedicated to a kraken. Unusual noises have been heard there at night. Builders and guards alike refuse to approach the temple.

The council has announced that the lighthouse on the island will be rebuilt and that a permanent garrison will be maintained there in order to keep the lighthouse running and to ensure that no more foul creatures attempt to make their home on the island.

Silver Crawfish’s Maiden Voyage Marred by Murder

Tragedy struck the Silver Crawfish, Brightshore’s first and only riverboat casino, on its maiden voyage early this month. The Silver Crawfish is a large, oar powered vessel that makes its way upriver early in the evening and then returns to the city early in the morning. The ship boasts the finest complimentary food and beverage selection, and patrons are treated to a night of dancing and rolling the dice.

The ship was designed to skirt gambling regulations implemented by the Council, but it found itself in deeper trouble when Lady Agnes Toustain was found murdered by poison aboard the ship on its first voyage up the Olteus River.

Thanks to the quick thinking of a band of adventurers led by a soldier named JT, and the decisive actions of Captain Miriam Cortes, the murderer was apprehended before she could strike again.

Priestess Petrina of the Shrine of Menran was found to have killed Lady Toustain and was in possession of more vials of deadly poison, enough to easily kill again. Though she was found guilty, no motive was established, and the Priestess is to be sentenced later next month.

During the course of the investigation, a Mage of the Arcanum, Vanuath, assaulted young Lord Osmond Quincy and was fined after a brief jail sentence.

Vampire Lord in Dark Forest Seeks Treaty

A party of adventurers led by Vesfyria, herself a new arrival from Goodleaf Jungle, was dispatched to further investigate the ruins of Kavonia Ma, an ancient city on the edge of the Dark Forest.

The city was found to be partially reconstructed. A bridge of the Ava River has been built, and reports are that there is a keep under construction as well. The party arrived to find a female elf yelling for help from inside a corpse flower that was headed across the bridge. They gave chase and were attacked by undead and gargoyles.

The party made it inside the keep and found the elf being chained to a wall next to an unconscious human man in a dungeon of vampires.

As the party fought with the vampires, another vampire, apparently their master, arrived. He called himself Armastus, claimed the whole affair was a monstrous misunderstanding, and invited the adventurers to negotiate over dinner.

Armastus agreed to release the adventurers, along with the two captives in his dungeon, on the condition that the party promptly return with a treaty from Brightshore recognizing the Dark Forest across the Ava River as belonging to him.

Though the council has yet to make a decision, it is rumored that a dialog between the vampire lord and the council has been opened, but as a warning for now at least, anyone who wanders into the Dark Forest is liable to be captured and likely killed by Armastus and his followers.

‘Til death do us part.

I had drafted a very energetic and warming article in anticipation of a desperately needed day of love and union. However, I will not publish those words, blatantly ignoring the cries of those who have lost someone from recent events…

Many of us already know what happened, so this is just for the record.

Sextus 20th, the day of Cleo and Norio’s wedding, the weather was perfect as we neared the end of summer. The venue was an elaborate re-decoration of The Park, where Cleo and Norio were wed by none other than Errol Twiceblessed, guided by the light of The Four. Nearly the whole town showed and everyone shed tears of joy as we watched our beloved tabaxi companions walk together down the aisle as one.

Then shadow covered everything.

One of the musicians saw it coming first and apparently screamed, “OWL!!!” Everyone turned in panic. No one was prepared for this. Why now? It was too late. The enormous owl, stained black and with billows of dark smoke trailing behind it, had already descended upon us. In the blink of an eye, it unleashed a shock-wave of powerful wind, knocking everything and everyone over just before ~50ft tall walls of black, unholy thorns separated and caged people throughout the park.

Groups of adventurers, including the newlyweds, were seen locked in combat with not only the owl but also new foes whose names vary from person to person. Perhaps the one ray of hope that split the darkness engulfing our city was the Kintsugi Tower. I saw it with my own two eyes and darn-near lost my hearing from, the two – yes, two – cleaving laser strikes that were unleashed upon an area within The Park. After the second strike, everything stopped and the owl was seen flying to the North.

I pray to The Four that we can recover and strengthen ourselves from this tragic day. I pray that Cleo and Norio do not blame themselves for this occurrence, and that they can still find solace with one another. Lastly, I pray for all of those who lost someone they love — please do not give up hope.

MAGU IS NO MORE!

Magu, the goblin warlord responsible for the Battle of Brightshore in which more than 100 brave citizens gave their lives, was discovered and slain earlier this month.
Flint, Revan, Stopp, Varish, Kora, and Otirry spotted Magu along with dozens of goblin and bugbear followers near the Ava River Ruins. According to the adventurers, Magu used some sort of magical artifact to awaken a towering, 50-foot construct resembling a hobgoblin that had been buried under the ruins. Varish, who understands the goblins’ language and was able to catch a few of her words, believes Magu was trying to command the construct to assault Brightshore.

The brave adventurers gave chase, some attacking Magu from the ground and others climbing the lumbering titan to engage the warlord directly. Flint found and removed the artifact powering the construct, which caused it to collapse. The Four must have been smiling on the adventurers that day, for all of them were able to maneuver out of harm’s way while Magu fell directly under the titan as it fell. The adventurers pulled her crushed from the wreckage and confirmed that she was dead.

Townsfolk in the streets cheered as they recognized the warlord’s body and the ruined pieces of the (smaller) war machine she once rode. Although we may never know why Magu was bent on the destruction of our fair town, it is certain her name will live in infamy, and the glory belongs to the six brave souls who ended her reign of terror.

Eyewitness Account of the Harrowing Recovery of the Statue of Ava

“Our adventuring party went back to sea to reclaim the Statue of Ava from the clenches of darkness in the deep ocean. We were guided by Ava’s light aboard the Albatross, helmed by Captain Fairbeard. As our hopes of finding the statue began to dwindle, Ava’s inspiration struck Baern, and into the water he went to find Her light on the ocean floor. For nearly a day, we sailed towards Ava’s light that guided the plate-armored dwarf below until She was finally spotted: a water temple of darkness, void of light, held the statue. As we prepared for battle, Ava once again gave us all inspiration as our party dove deep into the waters below. As the darkness began to overwhelm us, we reminded ourselves that it is in the twilight that Her light shines brightest.

Smashing in the door to the temple in honor of Ava, our brave party easily bested any who stand in our way: the sea goblins, the octopus, and the steel monster. Ava gave us all her blessing that day: Baern struck true with his hammer forged of Ava’s might, Atwood invoked Her wrath as a giant octopus, Vanuath punished our enemies using Ava’s light, Mazikeen pierced the creatures with force of Ava’s wildfire, Haryll embodied Her energy to strike with both javelin and fist, and I used my gifts from Ava to ensure that the flames of our souls were not extinguished. I saved many that day: Baern, Mazikeen…but I digress. After all, it was Ava who truly saved them.

After sending our enemies back to ashes, back to the darkness from whence they came, we liberated Her statue from the temple and began to guide her back to the surface and back to Her light. However, darkness was not yet ready to relinquish its grasp, as the iron brute stood back up and gave chase to the statue. Armed with little left but Ava’s inspiration, Baern and I stood our ground against this wicked darkness once more. As the steel monster grabbed ahold of the statue, we tried everything to break its grasp, from prying its fingers to attacking it hands to using Baern’s final javelin as a lever to heave its hands from the statue. But it was no use — it was clear that the light, and our chances, were fading.

That’s when I dropped to my knees and looked to Ava for guidance… and She did just that. With Her inspiration behind us, Baern and I put our remaining strength into one final attempt with the remnants of Baern’s broken javelin and watched that evil pile of scrap fall back into the watery depths below. We got the statue aboard the ship, spent time in prayer while restoring the statue’s beauty, and felt beyond blessed to be able to present it to the temple. Praise Ava!”

–Grenmöre

New Guild Founded

Citing an increase in the amount of filth in the city, a gnome named Rasputin Cruelhammer has taken it upon himself to create the Brightshore Brighteners, a guild devoted to keeping Brightshore clean and tidy. While he claims his purpose is pure, the Brighteners have already created no small amount of controversy by dumping a wagonload of fish guts in front of the Tower, which led to minor fines being handed out, as well as to the arrest of Abigail Farnsworth.

Farnsworth, who remains behind bars, said she stands in solidarity with Selene Skipriver and refuses to pay her 10 gp fine until the council clears the beleaguered halfling’s name. When asked for comment, Farnsworth would only say, “Free Selene! She’s innocent!”

Holy Airship!

Citizens and dockworkers alike were startled with what seemed to have been a miniature, and focused, tsunami last week in the Dockyards District. An enormous wave swept through the Northwestern corner of the Dockyards late in the afternoon, but what remained in the aftermath of the upsurge is still being talked about today! As the water drained back into the bay, resting upon the streets of Brightshore lay what appeared to be an airship of sorts. It was a water-logged wooden vessel riddled with barnacles, seaweed, and crabs, and it had sustained heavy damage, possibly from an ancient battle. Yet the strangest part were the wings that stemmed from its sides! The ship was delivered by workers to an unpopular workshop in the Gate District known as ‘Brytva’s Bolts’ for reasons unknown. Additionally, I have been hearing rumors that the people responsible for this delivery were adventurers who surfaced from below the waves: thus far I have heard of a dark elf, some sort of robotic looking person, two farmers, and a hulking Goliath woman – who might these people be? And why have they returned such a vessel to our town?!

Blue Dragon Killed by Brave Adventurers

A band of adventurers, Ves, Dragone, Zren, Revan, Flint, and Stopp have put an end to another threat to Brightshore.

They traveled to Tierrios and slew a mighty blue dragon, whom other adventurers had tried unsuccessfully to kill before. The adventurers also put an end to the lightning-possessed kobolds that worshipped the dragon, and it is believed that the area is significantly more safe, though Defender patrols have not yet scouted the area in depth.
Tragically, the wizard Finder Sinclair was killed in the course of events. The specifics are unknown, but it appeared to the party as if he had been possessed by the dragon, and somehow killing the dragon ended his life as well.

Heretic Undermined and Brought to Justice

Citizens of Brightshore have endured the harassment of the banished heretic Alabaster for years, but the madman has been brought to divine justice after he claimed he would assault the Shrines of the Four and destroy them. Thanks to the concerted effort of the guard, the temple, and a handful of heroic Brightshore citizens, he and his army of elementals were repelled from the Temple District Bridge. Upon his death, it was discovered that this blasphemous villain was in fact a doppelganger, a monster able to read minds and take the form of any man, woman, or child it wished. In light of this, the Temple is offering clemency to any current members of the Underground Cult in exchange for information on the cult’s whereabouts and structure.

Masterpiece Ava Sculpture Lost at Sea

For the past several months, noted master sculptor Fimdurim Trollhand had been taking advantage of the quality of stone offered by the Saltrock Quarry to craft what was by all accounts a truly stunning statue of Ava. Though Ava is not typically depicted as having a human form, Fimdurim claimed to have seen a vision of divine inspiration that guided his chisel. The statue was due to be placed in the Ava Shrine this month, but a storm wrecked the ship that was carrying it from Saltrock to Brightshore.

A band of adventurers were said to have located the statue but were unable to retrieve it. Some have indicated that they will seek to try again.

Fimdurim Trollhand himself has been said to have hung up his tools for good as he is wracked by a crisis of faith.

Order of the Duskmoon

Rumors have been circulating through the town about an extinct ancient order known only as the Order of the Duskmoon. Supposedly, Brightshore rests atop the proving ground for this ancient order, and there is some manner of ever-weakening guardian that is the only thing preventing these undead from invading the city. Abigail Farnsworth had this to say, “Undead? Under the city? Sounds like the kind of story mothers tell their children to try to get them to behave. I don’t believe a word of it.”

Cleo Catra Manor Infested with Rats

For the second time in as many months, Catra Manor was infested with rats. Luckily, adventurers were again on hand to help stave off the worst of the infestation, which was rumored to be backed by some kind of demon or a Rat King. Unfortunately, Aelor of Aelor Construction was killed during the incident.

Ruins Reclamation Sanctioned by Council

The Council has formally established a fund to encourage expansion into the western ruins of the city. Volunteer craftsmen and trained soldiers drawn from the ranks of the Defenders stand ready to assist any who seek to expand the borders of the town, and to help ensure that threats long buried beneath the ruins are discovered and eradicated.

Indomitable Bradford, speaking in place of the now rarely seen Chancellor Orrin, said, “This marks a new era for Brightshore. For too long we’ve lived in fear as to what might be on the other side of the river. Now, we will face those fears head on, find whatever evil may lurk under those stones, and grind it to dust with our armored fists.”

In related news, the Guard has cautioned anyone from entering the sewers in the ruins unless they are properly prepared. Rumors of strange baying beasts and hordes of spiders have made it back to town from survivors.

Wildeheim Dwarf Clan Moves to Saltrock

After months of squatting in public places, and lately on Cleo Catra’s property, the dwarf clan from Vessar has moved to the quarry and mines of Saltrock. There, Illuminator Ignatius says, the clan will help the settlement beyond measure as well as help ensure a source of raw materials to Brightshore.

Judge and Protector Askada Wildeheim also issued a formal letter of thanks to the Council for their patience and support in allowing the clan time to get back on their feet again. She is said to have delivered the letter personally and was well received by the council.

Despite its name, Saltrock has also been rumored to contain a deposit of diamonds and other gemstones. Perhaps the dwarves know something we don’t!