Recent news: Early this year in Pavis, another Issaries merchant was found to be dealing with Krarshti and was crucified by the Lunars after a small Orlanthi riot broke out in Oldtown. Feelings about the crucifixion are mixed, some feel that the charges were trumped up.
The Zola Fel pilgrimage downriver went well until it hit Muriah's Bog (as it is now often called). Well coordinated broo ambushes and disease spirit sendings plagued the procession for that day. Luckily the attacks were light and infrequent and there was enough magical/physical support to fight them off without much loss. Still, it is clear that Muriah is comfortably entrenched in her domain.
Much talk concerned rumors of omens that had visited the Zola Fel priests during Sacred Time, which they were sure to speak of at Corflu.
Caernak got to see his daugher Azure, who is growing up fast but still a cult secret. She now rides around on a pet giant river asp and has many intelligent venomous river serpents as "playmates." The 5 eyes newtlings guard her closely and call her "The River's Hiss." Other stuff that Caernak wants to do? You have been spending lots of time with your wife, perhaps a baby is on the way (she wants!).
At Corflu:
I'll still play other things out at Corflu but let's assume that everyone makes it there, and the River Voices are all present.
Beforehand, Tarranyr, Pachala, and Dorgon (and others, if interested) are invited to join the Zola Fel cult by Che'enshashan, and entices them with the promise of a hand tattoo with a Breathe Water matrix if they pledge themselves to the River Voice service. If they are interested and have Swim>25% they may join for 1 POW and get a POW check and tattoo (water, harmony, movement runes) too!
At the ceremony, those who are present see this:
1) Sa'ar begins the speeches by discussing chaos in the river:
"A new year has come to the land and in my dreaming I have been frightened by portents of chaos filth floating on the river, and diseased fish dying on the shores. Clifftop Chafftu's prophecy from last year has been validated by our River Voices lately -- we know the enemy now and I suspect It is the source of much of the evil that has come upon the river in the past 8 years. I will not trouble the common folk with its identity, our hardy River Voices are seeking out the foe in its lair. I merely ask you to support them this year with even more generosity, honesty, openness, and respect. Be watchful for Chaos and report it to us promptly."
Concerned nods from the crowd as Ch'en comes up to speak.
2) Che'en touches on the same subject:
"I shall be overseeing the bold forays of our River Voices into the heart of evil -- speak with me or them if you have information. I will look for ways that Zola Fel can help us help Him to battle this enemy. I thank those of you that have brought gifts to the River Voices to help them in their dangerous searches (gestures to a reed platform where some items are laid). Let us now hear our River Voices' words." More nods and cheering as the River Voices step up.
3) Caernak, then Tison and/or Arcus may speak. Let's do this on e-mail if we can. BVoN speaks last:
"I bring a message on behalf of The One of Five Eyes. (gasps from the crowd) The ire of The One has been awakened from a long slumber. The One thirsts for war. The Many yearn to stain their hides with enemy blood and win grisly trophies. (clash of weapons from the 5 eyes newtlings that are present) Vengeance lust will be satisfied, soon if not this year. The River shows its friendship to The One, it cushions Its fall and soothes Its aches, slakes its thirst. I come with an open hand of allegiance, with the foresight of The One as my guide. When the waters rise in a torrent of blood and rage, we stand on your side of the shore if mutual trust be assured."
Sa'ar replies:
"I welcome your open hand... with gracious surprise.... it is about time that we clarify our standing with the mighty One and Its Many. Emissaries will come to you this year and we shall forge a bargain with sturdy bonds of trust."
Discussion is opened among the various priests, acolytes, and River Voices. Some discussion covers more mundane issues (e.g. fishing, farming, trade), which are generally looking good.
Later that day, the songs, dance, and rituals of the spring Great Festival and the ending of the Sacred Pilgrimage pass with flourish, and the spirits of the riverfolk are high and hopeful for the future.
As the ceremony nears its end with the story of te return of Zola Fel to the waters of the sea after His calling from the Leaping Place, a chill blows across the sacred pools and paddies, and the air about the celebrants visibbly ripples with otherworldly power. A shrill scream tears through the crowd, leaving onlookers shuddering in fear while Sa'ar and the ritual participants focus on their ceremonal duties. The scream came from a strange shimmering slit in the rippling air, where now a bloody cracked claw protrudes, pulling the slit open wider so a second claw can gain purchase. The hole widens and a ghastly face sticks through... the sorrowful visage of a Morokanth spirit -- the ghost of Shennin Ashal! A timeless moment passes, the movements of the ritualists become more blurred and dreamlike as this world comes closer to the spirit realm and myth and reality change places.
Then the apparition moans: "I come with bad tidings, children of the River. My body has been torn asunder by demons of the Underworld and only my tortured soul exists now. My last tired struggles earned me one small victory, I may return here in the service of our god once yearly, if only briefly.
People of the river, great evil forces gather near and afar, beside you and below you, and enemies of what we hold dearest conspire to recast our world into THEIR vision of unholy virtue. Time runs short, they have already sprung many traps such as the one that snared me. Now is your last chance to set things right, correct past wrongs and gird your strength for the coming onslaught! If you are complacent, and lack key friendships wen the enemy forces rush upon you, you will be broken and enslaved if you persist at all.
Two tasks lie ahead, with no time to waste with tentative chatter or weak action. Seek allies now , make concessions if needed, and pick your enemies wisely. Diplomacy now will save you later. Second, strike down lesser foes now, or their threat will increase tenfold when you must turn your backs on them to face more dire opponents. Mercy or fear will be your undoing. Heed these words well, for the one possible future I have glimpsed waiting for you in the Underworld is truly horrible. If I can do any service now in my broken state it is to convince yo of this matter's urgency. The world is changing fast and you must not be left behind for the scavengers of time to ravage."
No one can speak without interrupting the ritual, so Shennin's wailing spirit vanishes unanswered and the hole in the world screams shut just as agonizingly as it opened. We'll pick up there with discussion; the rituals are finished quickly and people begin a troubled meeting to tease apart what the ghost's message means.