Nocturne: Prelude

[DirectorBright]

In the distant south, a remote island is shrouded in fog. An immense, dark cloud that blocked out the sun for an entire month... ecological studies were undergone by the Captain-General to examine alleged irregularities and monitor the area as it progressed, until the ritual fades. Owing to the isolation of the region, the precise occurrences of events on that day are known only to those in attendance.

A scathing accusation fired at the Chronicle and Quill, in the aftermath of the ritual, reads:

The Chronicle and Quill has issued an irresponsible and shocking display of a lack of journalistic standards. A once-proud newspaper has truly fallen from it's station in the wake of it's former caretaker's departure.

Reports taken in the aftermath of the ritual show the measures undertaken by the Magi present have reinforced the environment against the brutal winters of the island. The energies of the sun were condensed and pushed into the earth, and one of Caethir's own water magi fed the land. The foliage which lay dormant in the winter have had their reserves bolstered by these acts.

The average temperature has risen slightly as the dark fog absorbs more sunlight than the white ice and snow, though not enough to get above freezing. Intense winds have been slightly diminished as well.

As the island is small, local wildlife is essentially nonexistent. There are no eagles and wolves upon the island, which is unpopulated. This dangerous misinformation needs to be addressed and handled, lest it whip up hysteria over blatant falsehoods.

After all, when participants included esteemed and long-standing members of the international community, including ranking officials from several nations and Caethir's Franz Erbe, the startling lack of good faith on display towards the event in question is insulting and palpable- one can't help but wonder if a certain radical group has an agenda to push.

Let alone the profound lack of trust towards myself, when I have been a healer and mentor to the people of Meranthe for over 40 years, proclaimed and recognized as the expert in the field of magic invoked. From where does this turning upon myself stem, have I ever done anything of sorts to demonstrate reckless disregard for the common people in the past? Food prices within Goldlight are down to record lows, with emergency stockpiles overflowing.  Workplace accidents have declined, cripples are made whole again. The standard of living has risen significantly under industrial reforms and supplementation of workforces. For what reason is ill intent and bad faith ascribed to me, as if I were a stranger to all?

A further set of questions should be levied: What exactly were fishing boats doing such a great distance away from the nearest inhabited region- and for what reason are sailors in deserted waters away from any major trade routes? Arilator's landing is in the middle of nowhere, no major migratory paths or currents cross it's waters. Did the Chronicle and Quill ever visit the island in question or survey the region themselves? Why are their only reported sources either completely uninformed or unnamed and bearing such a curious and specific emblem- the same symbol that had begun popping up after the initial controversy? Is it not a principle of a proper newspaper to ensure it's opinions are well informed, accurate and impartial? With over a dozen participants ranging from Drakanspire to Gloomlight Grove, to even Caethir, one wonders why none were contacted or cited.

Perhaps the author in question cares more about drumming up attention for the lucrative artwork dealings, than the truth and integrity of such a venerable institution as the Chronicle and Quill. After all, 700,00c is a lot of money...

Though given the distance, nations would be hard pressed to reach the area themselves in time to confirm the Order's findings themselves... leaving only the mages present to attest to their observances.

Guardsmen throughout the vigil seem to have silently had their numbers reduced, as an increase in the presence of the hunters of the church could be noticed by the particularly observant. An uptick in the quantity of golems was visible in response, though whether this played to any internal political strife in the republic or was merely a clerk noting a reduction in numbers below established norms is anyone's guess.

Once more, controversy within the city could be found, with one such guardsman overheard stating:

What, we're supposed to believe the captain-general's some kind of genocidal maniac? Well you aren't hearing complaining here, not me. I'm well fed, got myself a new hand after the accident, and my taxes are down. Get it out of your head, I bet it was them westerners starting up trouble again. They're always looking for an excuse to come after us and push us down, hate on what we've built. Make things up or spit on us just for breathing. I bet those black sun types were working for 'em.

Hey, there's a guy with one of those emblems on him right now... You! Stop! I've got some questions for you-

Yet again, certain civilians interviewed expressed themselves further, with one black-sun toting individual stating:

Mass die-offs, frozen fish, is it anyone's surprise? He's not even human, I bet he's definitely gone mad! We never had this kind of issue under Garret, never! Imagine if he'd done that here! He was going to, but thankfully he got pushed out of it before he really could kill us all. We're not his toys or pawns that just have to deal with it, the giant gaze and all the golems were enough as it was- people live here. It's not just some lab experiment for the guy. I bet he thinks of us like that, big mage out of touch with the common people.

I heard, that he used to be a- Get your hands off me! I-

For now, the aftereffects of the ritual remain on a 'visit and find out' basis- the distance meaning that few would ever bother with such a tremendous sailing.

Rumors state that someday, he might do it again.

The Nocturne has concluded - For now.