OK then, much rejoicing as the River Voices come back to the Free Pavis area! You have time to drop by the Temple Barge, say hello to Che'enshashan, and make it back to the fort by twilight. As you pass through the rubble, you see nothing very different except for the lack of Lunar presence, and in fact there are no checkpoints until you get close to the River Gate and Temple Barge. And even then, no problems with taxes or anything, phew. Pavic administration is still getting its act together.
News in Pavis, in brief:
The city was quiet for the week that the Cradle was passing downriver, then shortly after that some troll raids began. So far just relatively minor and common incursions here and there. The fort has been untouched.
An Orlanthi favorite boy from Garhound won the Harvest Bride competition at the end of last season, bringing omens of a good harvest next year.
But for now, the city is in famine! Disease is spreading and people are miserable. The food collections done last season have already run out. Trollkin have raided some hidden food stores, and insects have raided others. Some blame the trolls for conspiring to starve Pavis to death.
And it has been snowing! Every Freezeday this season now, snow has fallen on parts of the county overnight, and the ground freezes in shady spots. Snow has not accumulated much except in those areas. What plants are left are not doing well. So the famine is bound to worsen.
Riots and thievery have spread through the city as a result of this. Some alleviation has come from generous gifts by the Sun Domers, garden elves, and Mani clan of Pavis. But it's only worsening.
Naturally, the thought has come to some key city figures to heroquest for food, and they are proceeding. Yep, "Ernalda Feeds the Tribe" quest. Preparations are under way, they say.
The day before you arrive, at night a large host of trolls and their minions descends on Pavis county from the northwest, their queendom of Dagori Inkarth. They move quickly into the Rubble and most of them vanish. At first there was much public fear and outrage, and some small battles, but the trolls didn't fight back hard and soon faded into the rubble. Now people are really worried: what are the trolls building up to?
Diplomatic efforts with the trolls have begun with those people who are closer to them such as Issaries cultists/Argan Argar and the Uz Mercantile Association of Pavis, Griselda's Band, and Jorjar the Quick, former ally of Brygga Scissortongue who just switched his allegiance to Ettir. Jorjar has brought in Tusk Rider mercenaries (!) from Adari to defend the perimeters of the city and county, much to the concern of some, but to many any defenders are welcome at this point.
Politically, Ettir the Sly has become more accepted as Governor of Free Pavis; the differences between him and Fleeter Nemm/Bendrath in the Real City, or Brygga in New Pavis, seem to have been smoothed out more now. Brygga has agreed to help out with diplomatic efforts, business, and relations with peoples outside the county, and Bendrath has redoubled efforts to use the Rubble's resources to everyone's advantage. Fleeter Nemm has taken up old Benderri's position as the Son of Pavis (high priest) and is visiting nomad priestesses at the Paps holy ground in the Eiritha Hills to seek a pact for aid. Fleeter and Bendrath are working together, pledging to rediscover Old Pavic ways that were lost. More will be announced at the holy day when many changes in cult structure are formalized. Meanwhile, Ettir and his New Teeth handle many military/security matters and control the city budget. Progress is being made.
In other big news around Pavis, the Humakti Sword named General Caspian Vur has returned triumphantly to the city. He was the head of Pavis forces against the Lunars before Prax fell in 1610, and went into exile shortly thereafter. He recently led some of his elite Humakti warriors deep under New Pavis and destroyed an ancient temple to Thanatar found underneath. They are said to be among the greatest of chaos slayers, having forged their skills in the fires of the wars in far-off Dorastor. They are very well received here, and Caspian is placed back as the Commander in Chief of the Free Pavis armed forces. He is somewhat independent from the rest of the administration but listens loyally to Ettir and the others.
Captain Nervon Kline is placed in charge of the Real City Watch and rubble patrols, working with Ithas Resh, Jr. of the Pavis Survivors cavalry and Royal Guard. They have also worked with Hargran the Clean's zebra "bandits." Rubble Patrols have been re-initiated by many allies of the city, and some have led raids to disable or distract the trolls. People are needed for these efforts.
The Cold Wind has struck a Lunar hideout on Ogre Island and slain several cultists hiding there, claiming that some were in fact Lunar ogres working in the city! Shock and cries for more Lunar blood run through the Orlanthi community.
Griselda and company have mostly retired now to comfortable, wealthy lives in New Pavis, having bought old Lunar manses on Rich Hill. They still speak out now and again on city matters that concern them, but word has it that they've given up on their wild adventures and just want some quality time now to enjoy.
White Moonies have spread through the city more. People have been spontaneously disposing of their material belongings, donning only a white smock and sandals, and joining the mantras and meditations of the White Moon cultists. Even some battle-hardened warriors have taken to wearing linen rather than iron now. The cultists can be seen all over town now, and are entirely peaceful, claiming that they have helped change the moon from red to white. The moon does look fainter now, but not white, so no one knows what they mean, but they are very odd. A few wild Orlanthi have directed violence against the Moonies, and found that their weapons turn upon themselves, or shatter, or they are overcome with pacifism and join the Moonies.
Back at the fort, things are quiet. Everyone is back on their feet. Punt the giant has stopped by once a week or so to sing a song, drum, be tickled by Elohwyn, and eat anything you''ll feed him. Windwhistler flies overhead now and again with three griffins. The Flintnail trackers have all left, save one who is finishing the clearance of the tunnel to New Pavis, and says his work order schedules completion for late this season.