FORM: Is this a written message sent by hand? By raven? Is it a message by sending crystal?
SENDER: Various Authors & Criers
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: News from around Thedas
WHEN: Firstfall
WHERE: Everywhere
NOTES: If you'd like your characters to respond to or discuss this information among themselves, feel free to use this post!

WAR OF THE LIONS RAGES ON

Orlesians remain mired in civil war but still make time for a party! The Orlesians continue to squabble amongst themselves, but have perhaps finally noticed that there are larger threats currently facing Thedas. A summit has been scheduled for late Firstfall, in hopes of ending the conflict that for over a year has inflamed the empire and wrought havoc on world trade. Empress Celene and her even more unlikeable cousin Grand Duke Gaspard will both attend the negotiations, which of course are being held at an elaborate and decadent ball, because even in the midst of war Orlesians still have their priorities.

The event will proceed despite the recent arrest of its hostess, Gaspard's sister Grand Duchess Florianne. She has been imprisoned by the Inquisition on charges of conspiring with Corypheus, which somehow has still not ended her brother's bid for the throne. We hear the Inquisition will be in attendance at this event to provide mediation and additional security, and we can only hope they intend upon arresting the Grand Duke as well. Maybe they'll even arrest them all! We shall cross our fingers. In the meantime, the war continues, with reports of thousands dead in the barren trench-land of the Dales, and hundreds more fled into the woods to join the rebels who call themselves the Freemen of the Dales. Should either would-be leader emerge from this party in control, they'll find themselves with a bigger clean up job than a kennel-hand after the dogs get into bad meat.


ARCHDEMON DRIVEN FROM HOSSBERG

Wardens Save Hossberg! The archdemon that recently terrorized Hossberg has fled following the arrival of the Grey Wardens. The people of the Anderfels welcomed these heroes into the capital city with music and jubilation.

First Warden swears vengeance! The bodies of the entire royal family of the Anderfels have been found torn apart by darkspawn. The First Warden has sworn they will be avenged, and declared that the throne will pass to the closest known heir of the family when order has been restored to the region and the transition of power can be made peacefully.


CHAOS CONTINUES PLAGUING FERELDEN'S EMBATTLED QUEEN

Queen Anora crippled by indecision! A new rift has opened in Crestwood, plaguing the citizens of the region with more troubles. Many have seen no choice but to abandon their homesteads and flee to larger cities that offer greater defense. Queen Anora has issued a royal decree that these refugees will be well-treated, but has failed to match her intentions with funding, leaving cityfolk feeling neglected and overtaxed by what is asked of them. Indeed, the influx of refugees has added considerable burden to the magistrates of Ferelden’s great cities, and citizens and nobles alike fear a time as dark as Fifth Blight, when cities like Kirkwall were full to bursting and danger stalked the streets. Pressure on Anora grows, while Ferelden prays for the return of King Jonas, that he might share the burden of the crown. In these darker days, these prayers turn similarly dark, and many hope that that the King might at the very least be declared dead once and for all, so that the Queen might remarry and a true strength might return to Ferelden.


ROUCHLANDS RESCUED FROM TRAITOROUS SERVANTS

A harrowing crisis was bravely resolved by a troop of brave and lawful citizens in the southern Dales, who rescued the Rouchand family from their own household staff. Madame Giesella Rouchand, the Lady de Papin (her sister by marriage), and the two Rouchand sons suffered great terror at the hands of those elves in whom the family had long placed their trust. The little family was locked in their own suites at the Manor de Rouchand while Lord Rouchand was away on matters of the state. The Rouchands were, blessed be the Maker, saved from worse horrors by the intrepid band of young men from the neighboring estates, who rose up in arms and outrage when they heard news of the plight of the Rouchands. The thankless servants did not cause grievous harm to the Rouchand estate, and have been imprisoned for the good of all. The youngest Rouchand son, Emile, has begged mercy for the insurgent bunch, on the grounds that they are witless, without the good judgement afforded to those more clever. Lord Rouchand has returned to his estate to be with his family at this difficult time. The Rouchands are recovering admirably after their scare. And while there is not yet word of punishment, no one would blame Lord Rouchand should he call for a swift and sure justice in the name of the Empress and Orlais herself. Examples must be made, or else further incidents are likely.


MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

As the seasons change and the war rages on, the fashion houses of Orlais have followed suit, incorporating austere tints to their designs. Darker colors reign supreme. Gone are the light linens of summer, overtaken by deep supple leathers, wools cut in clean crisp lines of uniformity, all whimsically offset by riffs of feathers. Embroidered detail relies on the motif of purple flowers. This is the fashionable way to display support for the Empress Celene, for it is always in vogue to wish the Empress a long life and a prosperous reign!

But, lo! The most fashionable of all is King Bhelen, who, while he has not yet taken to wearing the purple flower, is surely commissioning its addition to his royal garb at this very moment. For Bhelen has sent aid to Celene in this dark hour! The relief in Val Royeaux at so noble a gesture was, by all reports, palpable, as the true sons and daughters of Orlais toasted Bhelen’s deeply fashionable generosity.

Rumors of disappearances from Mont-de-Glace have been confirmed as truth, as the Vicomtesse has sent an official request to her brother-in-law for aid. Citizens of the region have been disappearing, waylaid by bandits or worse.

A village just south of the Frostbacks was decimated by an Abomination. Only four children escaped with their lives, smuggled to safety by Arnaldus, a brave brother of the Chantry who was traveling in the region. It was Brother Arnaldus who bore the story to the Templars. The Abomination was put down and the remains of the village were burned.

The cooperative efforts of Nevarra and Tevinter is reaching legendary proportions as the two countries are combating the insidious Venatori presence entrenched along their shared border.