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

Congratulations to the over thirty new masters and nearly hundred and fifty new journeymen announced across every field found in the valley.  There was no shortage of surprised and relieved faces during the events of the journeymen’s festival earlier this week, but it’s safe to say what the crowning moment of the festival is.

While the Oathspeaker has always been a significant member of the Pinecrest Valley’s greater society, the Grand Council and Druid’s Circle Guild went out of their way to keep Revna’s return a secret.  If you missed it, the efforts included arranging for Revna’s vessel to arrive in harbor with her on the bow, using her magic to guide the ship in and hold it steady before the onlooking crowd.

As if her arrival wasn’t enough, our newly returned Champion of Water brought surprises with her as well.  As the party disembarked their ship, eyes went not to formal vestments and sapphire and silver choker that Revna wore as marks of her new rank, but to the formal uniforms of a Warden of Water worn by two of her companions: Eryk Nightstream of the Black Mountain Clan and Ortea Floodrunner of the White Mountain Clan.

From what I’ve been able to learn, neither Eryk nor Ortea had planned to undertake the warden trials prior to be approached by no one less than the senior Guardian of the Shrine herself and asked to do so. What prompted this request remains known only to those involved in it, and possibly Revna herself.

Revna’s group reports they sailed through several periods of intense rain in the past few days, which aligns well with the Sylph-casters’ forecast for Spring Breaking. From mountain to mountain and castle to harbor, expect periods of intense rain early in the week, followed by warming  temperatures and clearing days.

Speaking of clearing, the imminent threat of virl has been cleared from the valley, courtesy of the East Valley Trekkers.  As of yet, there is still no news from the White Mountain Clan as to the fate of their hunters, nor from anyone as to what drove the virl into the valley.

Several people have asked me if I have any news about the flurry of messengers running from Eastjord Harbor’s town hall to various guilds around the region and back. I have no hard facts, but my educated guess is that there have been a lot of applicants for the Anchorstone Walk in just under two weeks and the guilds are being recruited to serve as defenders as escorts for those undertaking the walk.

The Royal Messengers have selected ten candidates to undergo training to join their number and they’ll be leaving town next week, probably once the rain plays nice.  While messengers are trained to run in any weather, they are also trained to decide if the message warrants the risks involved. Spring weather often brings colds and minor illness, and not being soaking wet while walking all day is likely to help ward off such.

When it comes to warding off trouble, both the Royal Guard and Pinecrest Valley Guard are maintaining their elevated presence in town and on roads around the region.  In fact, they’re jointly sponsoring today’s aethercast as they are looking for additional help of a very specific nature. Stay tuned to our sponsor section for information!

Lastly, Irzuka Sharesjoy reports that both Lucy and Amy are due to give birth any day now.  This will be Lucy’s sixth litter, and Amy’s first. Amy was born in Lucy’s second litter, and none of her siblings have had any difficulties during birth, so we look forward to news of puppies.

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

Also brought you by the Pinecrest Valley Division of the Royal Guards and the Pinecrest Valley Guard. Both guard forces are looking to hire runners, on beast and foot, under a special commission for messengers working directly for them.  The minimum period of work is the entire month of Undine. Please visit the nearest Pinecrest Valley Guard Station to apply.

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