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[center][b]UNKNOWN SHIPS ALONG ORYSSON COAST[/b][/center]

Swarms of black ships without banners have been spotted patrolling the waters off the coast of Orysson. For the time being, they are keeping their distance as local navies scramble to see them off. The situation is currently stable, but the numbers and organisation of the ships suggest they are no mere pirates. 

It is known that Arion, the continent north of Orysson was largely under Imperial control prior to the Empire’s collapse. However, it can not be verified that these ships hail from the north. 

[center][b]Earth Quakes Strike Hightower[/b][/center]

The Human Enclave of Hightower has taken a heavy beating from earth quakes. Though this kind of natural event is common to the Hightower region, the destruction it has wreaked has not been dampened by this knowledge. Villages have vanished beneath mudslides, and the towns and cities have suffered severe damage. 

Hightower has placed its military forces on high alert, and much of it is helping civilians deal with the devastation. It is estimated that it will be some weeks before Hightower returns to normality, and during this time, it will be greatly weakened. 

However, Helor, whom sees Hightower as a close Ally, has warned that any attack on Hightower during its crisis will result in open war between itself and the offending nation.

[center][b]An Emerging Power[/b][/center]

Word has reached the mainland that the human Kingdom of Obana has fallen, some years ago in fact, to either an invasion or rebellion of High Orcs. Little is known of the events that have transpired, but Elthanian fishermen have reported seeing banners of black, marked by a white flame, scattered across the shoreline. It would appear that the small island nation is ready to stand and be recognised by the world as an independent nation of proud peoples. 

With information so broken and distorted in these days of deep division, it is possible that the High Orc's closer neighbours have been fully aware of this all long. However, the more entreched courts of Oyrsson will be shocked to hear of another post-Imperial bastion falling to ruin.