Hello, I’m Branwyn Two-Moon of Clan Lightridge and these are the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Gnome Resting, 2019.

Year’s Turning has come and gone with its usual artistic fanfare of mage-wrought displays and ice skating on Wickerby Pond.  While the first several snows of the season have come and gone, much to the confusion of newly-arrived adventurers, none currently rests on the ground within the valley itself, nor really anywhere lower than the foothills of the mountains. What was present however, proved quite helpful to at least one adventuring group.

The Vomba ranger Kurst Ice-forged is no stranger to cold and snow and was able to track down an errant merchant caravan headed towards town even though some local bandits had made an effort to hide both their trail and the caravan’s. The bandits attempted to ambush the very lost caravan one night and found themselves ambushed by Kurst and his companions first. Both merchants and adventurers came away with minimal injuries, and only one bandit was killed in the fighting, though several will be in a good deal of pain for some time.

How the lost merchant caravan became lost is not entirely clear at this time, however there was no one in the caravan who had actually made the trip to Eastfjord Harbor before and this likely played into it.

As is usual for this time of year, well – at least since the town was adopted into the kingdom of Gemrest, the harbor is quite busy with ships coming and going at all times. There are perhaps five occurrences in recorded history where the harbor has frozen over, and none in the memory of anyone living, but no one wants to take the risk of getting stuck in or out of port – especially not given that the next nearest deep draft port is something like a thousand leagues away to the northwest and very likely to freeze over soon if it hasn’t already.

In other news, The Druid’s Circle guild has informed us that a party lead by the Lutridan mage Revna has left the region to journey to Shrine of Water, where she hopes to undergo the Trials of Undine and earn the elemental’s favor.  Revna’s healing skills with water magic have been called upon by many adventurers, and townsfolk, and we all wish her well in her quest. As the Shrine of Water lays far to the south on the continent of Linfar, we will not likely have news of Revna and her companions for weeks.

The town council has asked me to remind everyone  that the next open meeting is on the fifth day of Gnome Dusting, a little less three weeks from now. The council will be presenting several plans to house additional immigrants and adventures from across the kingdom and beyond, and the farmer’s council will present plans to feed the expected influx of people.  Residents of the Pinecrest region will have three weeks to review the plans, bring concerns to their appropriate representatives, and similar. Concerns will be presented to the council during the open meeting the week of Dryad Rising, with a vote to select and enact a plan being held the week of Dryad Blooming.

In preparation for the upcoming work to expand housing, the following trade guilds are seeking able hands and willing minds for both short-term work and apprenticeship: masons, woodworkers, and carpenters. No surprises there.  Interested applicants should visit a representative of the appropriate guild for more information.

Both the Black Mountain and White Mountain tribes of Feralix report that magical and non-magical animals such as bears and saberlings are beginning to gather in foothills and forests around the valley. Dens for all potential threats will be marked accordingly when discovered, and civilians, guardsfolk, and adventurers are encouraged to leave things be unless they are a threat. Citizens who have identified such a threat are encouraged to work with the village council and town hall to recruit adventurers or the guards as appropriate.

In other adventuring news, the Lepta warrior Annaliese Skywatch has announced that she has been persuaded to open a school of swordsmanship. Construction will begin in the spring and open enrollment should be available in the fall for those who have a place to stay.  Many residents of the Pinecrest region had been concerned about Annaliese’s desire to continue living after losing her arm and companions to an outlaw ambush last winter. We look forward to her being around to many years to come.

Suspiciously, the opening ceremonies of the new school are already rumored to include a wedding. Somewhere, an author is wondering who on Evrian would believe such a sappy story and is tossing their work aside, unaware that it is literally about to happen.  Dear author, don’t give up on hopes and dreams; the spirits know Alyra Windvale didn’t, and we all appreciate the end results.

The weather forecast for the week of Gnome Waking calls for a lot of cold, with overnight freezes guaranteed. The odds of snow if you’re not in the mountains is fairly low however.

Those living around Valleywatch Keep should expect periods of heavy rain and strong winds, which may result in ice. While such weather will keep the residents of the keep inside more than usual, avoiding the keep itself is still encouraged.

The Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor are brought to you by Red Wombat Tea Company, purveyors of fine and otherwordly teas. Red Wombat: We Dig Tea.

Also brought to you by the Pinecrest Division of the Royal Guards, who would like to remind you that applications open in just three weeks. No prior military experience needed, but it does help.

These have been the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Gnome Resting, 2019. Take care, and stay warm.