The first major war in over 90 years has begun of the north-east coast of Erland in the late evening hours on the 38th of Oak. It happened suddenly with many ships coming out of a fog bank and bearing down upon the Earlish patrol ships. It is said that when Admiral Verningdale who was currently playing darts with Admiral Canning was told the news he merely replied ‘Come back to me in 15 minutes so that I may finish my game, then I shall deal with the problem.’ A promise that the Duke fulfilled. Once he finished all the ships were launched led by the Admirals ship the Blackbird and proceeded to engage the enemies ships. After many hours of naval battles the enemy re-treated all though the victory was a shallow one for many Earlish men lost their lives that night. When Admiral Verningdale was asked how he accomplished such a victory he made this report.
“We knew that the enemy  would expect us to use  are great fleet to attempt to overpower their forces with our sheer numbers and powerful warships. This however is not the way we did things. We sent several of our big ships to engage theirs and act as a distraction whilst we brought in several of our smaller boats loaded with gunpowder along side their vessels and blew them sky high. It was only then that we brought in the rest of the fleet to battle the rest of their ships.”
When we asked him who the enemy were he gave no comment.

A new band of heroes have risen up among the ashes of the now disbanded ‘Jacob and His Hooded Men.’ This group are said to be called ‘The Shields of Shallowdale’ which are said to be led by Baroness Brionn Hawking who was a member of the Hooded Men. Other members of this group are Jarvish a strange quite warrior and Ranolf a loner scout. Most unusually in the group are two Goblins one a large red brutish looking Goblin who is said to be called Bendigo (Ben to his friends) who loves nothing better than a good fight and seems to think that all magic users are women, the second is a small female black snidey looking Goblin who joins her companion in loving a good scrap and seems to have an aptitude for getting herself into trouble. Her name is Inka.
Since this group was formed they have lived up to their name and with the aid of Sir Stephen of Shallowdale (Lady Brionn’s husband) they managed to slay a great wyrm like that in the legends which had woken up and started to terrorise the area. This achievement has brought much praise from other heroes of the land.

It would seem that the infamous band known as the Wraiths have gone to far after robbing the famous merchant Cedric Shine. Mr Shine put up a large reward of 25000 commons for the capture of Ben Durn, 25000 commons for the capture of Nessan Harvey and 50000 commons for the bringing in of the rest of the Wraiths. The mysterious group known as the Rangers are said to have taken up this offer and have since proved and adiquette thorn in the side of the Wraiths turning up and giving pursuit whenever the Wraiths make a robbery. Not much has been seen of the Wraiths in the past month and there are rumores that they may disband.

Trouble is said to be brewing up in the country of Aladaer. It is said that several of the Baronies are preparing for war. Could this lead to a civil war within the country, or is it merely feudal like the country is so famed for.

Trade links that Erland had begun to build up with countries of the continent of Saradown have mysteriously come to a stop. It is said that their ships have stopped coming to the ports of Erland and Earlish ship have been turned away from their shores. They have also cut down on trade with the other countries of Garaleyer yet have increased trade with the Continent of Irdinia. One possible reason given for this is the sudden outbreak of war to the north-east of Erland how ether many are skeptical of this saying war is the greatest opportunity for trade and they would prosper greatly from Erlands misfortune.

A suprise late applicant for the postion of Head of the School of Magic has succesfully aquired the job beating down fellow competetors and favourites Lady Zarna Heiner, Connor McKenner and Sir Michael Peers. The previously unknown Sorcerer goes by the name of Pelanor Darkwing and is an Elven man in his early thirties. He has broken two records by being the first Elf to take up the postion and the youngest to take up the postion of the Head of the School. As so little is known about him no one quite knows how he will fill the position and what changes he might make. It would seem that many in the school are fearful that he may be to radical as they have been used to Alastar Gellenduin being in power for such a long time.

There are reports that the group known as the Templars are no more. The Templars, a group of religious fanatics now known to have come from the continent of Saradown are said to have clashed with a previously unknown group of Knights from Aladaer calling themselves the Black Knights. Although the Templars fought well they were outnumbered and were finally defeated. The leader of the Templars and one other are said to have escaped with their lives.

Top Twenty Most Notable People
1. Sir Hagor Barrafeild (Erlands National Hero)
2. Johann Fitzgerald (Mysterious Sorcerer)
3. Allister the Black (Necromancer)
4. Sir Christopher Darkmoor (Knight, Ruler)
5. Duke Carathway Vernindale (Admiral of the Erlish Fleet)
6. Nessan Harvey (Outlaw)
7. Ben Durn (Outlaw)
8. Lady Lucinder Conway (Sorceress)
9. Corack Felling (Captain of the Crimson Tides)
10. Sir Stephen of Shallowdale (Knight, Ruler)
11. Lady Suzannah Dews (Female Knight)
12. Rackumne Deepshadow (Goblin)
13. Brionn of Farrel Keep (Adventeress)
14. Sir Conrad (Knight, Enemy of Sir Hagor Barrafeild)
15. Jason Cruelhart (Swashbuckler)
16. Colin the Bashful (Thug, Businesman)
17. Sir Edward Peers (Knight)
18. Jacob the Pathfinder (Ranger)
19. Thordan Kranth (Ronic Rune Warrior)
20. Bryn Llwellin (Warp Warrior)

Top Ten Most Notable Groups
1. The Wraiths (Bandits led by Ben Durn and Nessan Harvey)
2. The Crimson Tides (Pirate fleet led by Corack Felling)
3. The Rangers (Bounty Hunters)
4. The Redcloaks (Myserious Warrior Mages)
5. The Sheilds of Shallowdale (Adventure Group led by Brionn of Farrel Keep)
6. Jason Cruelhart and Company (Rougish Group led by Jason Cruelhart)
7. Colin the Bashful’s Gang (Thugs led by Colin the Bashful)
8. Wotan’s Wolves (Ronic Beserkers led by Thordan Kranth)
9. The Tartan Terrors (Sarek group who bring terror by claymore and bagpipes playing)
10. The Black Knights (A strange group of Arlof mercenary knights who roam Erland)