Hello, I’m Branwyn Two-Moon of Clan Lightridge, and these are the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Gnome Waking, 2020.

The most important news I have to share this week does not involve the valley, the kingdom, or even the continent.

The island-continent of Irized is burning.  Best known as the home of the Shrine of Air, the large continent’s coastal plains and forests are burning. To them, this is the beginning of summer and the few thunderstorms they’ve had did not mix well with a dry winter and spring.  Hundreds, if not thousands of species unique to the region are in danger of becoming extinct due to the fires.

I am told the fires actually began late last year, but efforts to contain them have failed.  The smoke and ash makes it unsafe for people to go outside for any period of time, and crops and livestock have been decimated.  Due to the sheer distance between Irized and the next nearest major inhabited land, this news is just now reaching us.

Volunteers are being sought to aid in providing medical assistance, distributing emergency relief supplies, and fighting the fires.  Revna has already told me she is leaving the first day of Gnome Dusting to head to the capital where ships are waiting to begin the long journey east to the kingdom of Azurna on the continent of Midion.  Once there, I am told a network of Wisp-casters is waiting to expedite people across two continents to another seaport where ships are waiting to make the final steps of the journey.

Even with Sylph-casters to speed both groups of ships along, the trip to reach the nearest kingdom on Irized will take three to four weeks, and then the difficult work of containing and extinguishing the fires can begin.

Those wishing to travel with Revna to aid in these efforts should gather in the central square of Eastfjord Harbor by eight in the morning the first day of Gnome Dusting, preferably arriving sooner to coordinate with town clerks on exact departure times if multiple groups will be gated to the capital.

For those unable to make the journey, donations of light clothing that covers arms and legs completely are being gathered in the town halls.  For those willing to make the journey but unable to reach Eastfjord Harbor in time, reach out to your messenger guilds, Wisp-casters, and Shade-casters.  If word reaches me by the end of the fifth day of Gnome Waxing, I will do everything in my power to transport you here. If at all possible, please coordinate groups.

In the meantime, I am going to see about arranging a better shortcut.

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

Also brought to you by Gilseat Forges, we’re building a better foundation for the future – join us.

These have been the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Gnome Waking, 2020. Take care, and stay warm.