Grave news effects the country of Erland.
Civil war has erupted within the country with the Earl of Werningdale as the main leader of the opposition against the King. Not all of the rulers have yet placed their allegiances but soon it is felt every county shall be pulled into the conflict in some way.
Those counties which have placed their allegiance so far are as follows. On the Kings side are the Counties of Darkmoor, Merrydown, Kenth, Seradere, Wilshire, Seasbury, Tempshire and Tumsbury. Allied against the King on Werningdale's side are the counties of Barrafield, Shallowdale, Harrowdale, Landere, Everly, Kempshire, Shenning and Krynth. What is most strange in this affair is the allegiance of Duke Arthur Barrafield. Both the King’s and Arthur Barrafield’s fathers were the closest of friends and the Barrafield family has been allied with the Royal family for many generations. The power of Barrafield makes the war a dangerous one indeed and it could go on for a very long time.
The civil war is a new shock to a country that is still recovering from an attempted invasion and there is no doubt that it is left open to more attempts.

In relation to the war Sir Stephen Hawking of Shallowdale and his escort were ambushed by the Kings men. The battle was quick  and though Sir Stephen was outnumbered he managed to overcome his enemies and win the day. It was this ambush that brought Shallowdale into the civil war. It is unknown why the King made this attack.
There are unconfirmed rumours that the Wiccam Wanderers were present fighting on Sir Stephens side and that the King of Aladaer's son Prince Rudolph was also present.

The School of Magic has cracked down on users of Magic that are not within the school. They are invoking ancient lores to back them in these matters and they have recently raided several of  both Erland’s and Irenayer’s Bard Guilds confiscating magical tomes, scrolls and components. The Heralds Guild has come to a arrangement with the School to still use magic under certain circumstances.
The School has also withdrawn its envoys from the Royal household and refused to pay the taxes imposed by the King of Erland.

The Church of Math Mathonwy has declared itself independent from the Holy Order of the Oak to the great surprise and astonishment of the other churches within it. It is presently unclear as to why it has done so but theories are that it is connected with the movements of the School of Magic. The High Druid of the Oak is currently in negotiations with the Apostle and High Priest of Math and is hopeful that he can persuade them to rejoin the Order.

There are rumours that the Avatar of Diancecht walks the land. It is said that he is in fact the young Cleric and member of the Wiccam Wanderers, Dominic. In his recent journeys away from the group he healed many sick and injured and there are many reports that when he invoked the miracles of healing there was a strange soothing glow about him.

The Wiccam Wanderers have managed to put stop to a great evil. They found a ancient city within a valley in the Perrin Mountains. The city was inhabited by worshippers of Balor, Formorions and Firbolg. They found there one of the steeds of Balor a gargantuan worm like creature and managed to destroy it causing the followers of Balor to flee the city. The Wanderers also managed to free a small number of slaves but the rest were slain in a rebellion.
Several Clerics and Archeologists have travelled to the city to uncover its secrets but they say it may take many years.

The Wizard James of Wiccam (the Green) has been expelled from the School of Magic for acting against the schools rules and sharing magic with non members of the school. He has been stripped of his spellbooks and banned from employing magic.
 

Ben Durn and Nessan Harvey have fled Erland eluding the Rangers. They are said to have travelled down south to the Continent of Saradown. The Rangers have said they may still pursue them.

The Templars have been reformed by its two remaining survivors. It is now mostly made up of Earlish men but as well as the two Vareon’s which have formed it there are also a Istonion, Sparak and Irenayern within its ranks.
It is not yet known whether they shall seek revenge on the Black Knights who defeated the last group.

The Blades have managed to purge a haunted castle of Evil within Irenayer. The castle had many undead roaming its halls. The creature in charge of the castle was a Banshee but they eventually destroyed it. Two of their members lost their lives in the struggle.

A faction of the Redcloaks have found a Vampires Lair within Carbury. They destroyed most of the creatures but some escaped into the night. Surprisingly the Redcloaks seemed to have done it with out the employment of anyone which is unusual for the mercenary group.

Top Twenty Most Notable People
1. Sir Stephen of Shallowdale (Hero of the Battle of Muldayer Woods)
2. Sir Christopher Darkmoor (Duke)
3. Sir Edward Peers (Commander of the Earlish army)
4. Duke Carathway Verningdale (Admiral of the Earlish Fleet)
5. Pelenor Darkwing (Head of the School of Magic)
6. Lady Brionne of Farrel Keep (Adventuress)
7. Eltar Fireblade (Adventurer)
8. Allister the Black (Necromancer)
9. Ben Durn (Outlaw)
10. Nessan Harvey (Outlaw)
11. Galin the Arcane (Advisor to the King, Master of Sorcery)
12. Ian Werningdale (Earl, Leader of the Rebellion)
13. Sir Arthur Barrafield (Duke)
14. Corack Fellings (Pirate captain of the Crimson Tides)
15. Dominic of Wiccam (Avatar of Diancecht)
16. James the Green (Sorcerer, Adventurer)
17. Bethany the Fair (Adventuress, Acrobat)
18. Sir Conrad (Weneth National Hero)
19. Jason Cruelhart (Swashbuckler)
20. Colin the Bashful (Thug, Businessman)

Top Ten Adventuring Groups
1. The Redcloaks (Mercenary Warrior-Mages)
2. The Wiccam Wanderers (Earlish Heroes)
3. The Rangers (Bounty hunters)
4. The Crimson Tides (Pirates led by Corack Felling)
5. The Blades (Ireneyern Heroes)
6. The Tartan Terrors ( Sareks, who bring terror by Claymore and Bagpipe)
7. The Chandeliers ( Roguish group led by Jason Cruelhart)
8. The Crushers (Gang led by Colin the Bashful)
9. The Black Knights (Arlof Mercenaries)
10. The Templars (Reformed Fanatical Religious Knights)