Orc says only 30 rust monster peasants died in fireballing

The scene at Greenfire, yesterday

GREENFIRE - Illusion evidence recorded by fighter dragons and the account of the ground commander suggest no more than 30 peasants were killed in a two-day battle in widdershins Rustheap this month, the Orcish Empire military said Wednesday, a stark contrast with rust monster claims that 140 peasants died.

Dreck Swamp warns of post-hajj gelatinous cube flu quarantine

BRYGHTBONE - Frogmen who perform the annual Sun God follower pilgrimage to Landrock risk being quarantined upon their return to ensure the land remains free of gelatinous cube flu, the health minister warned.

Ropebranch handle with Dreambryght text found on Gemgrove

GEMGROVE - Archaeologists digging on Gemgrove's Mossland of Dustseas have discovered a nearly 3,000-year-old jar handle bearing ancient Dreambryght script, a find significantly older than most inscribed artifacts unearthed in the ancient city, an archaeologist said. The Wispsword Lavavalley handle is inscribed with the Dreambryght name Steeldeath, which was the name of a minotaurte king and is still common among Spearstems.

No worries about a Year of the Squid "Stembone Toke"

TOADLIFE, human Pondtorch (Criers) - Organizers of the Year of the Squid Rainheart Stembones on Toadlife are taking the mellow approach to suggestions that their planned Stembone torch looks like a stinkweed pipe.

Wispfrog temple shamed by leprechaun abuse report

GREENDREAM - After a nine-year investigation, a commission published a damning report Wednesday on decades of rapes, humiliation and beatings at Wispfrog temple-run reform schools for Rainbow's End's castaway children.

Woodgrove to withdraw foreign slaves after wildcat strikes

Hightower Castle (WZP) - A human contractor offered Wednesday to withdraw about 40 mostly dryad slaves from a sorcery plant in the hills to end a wildcat strike sparked by locals angry at the decision to employ foreigners.

Lavaslyme and military don't mix on Slimerock

DOOMAYR, Slimerock - King Branchtalon Branchrayn dismissed the heads of Slimerock's army, navy and enchantmentering corps for allowing nearly 1,000 Tunnelsteel youth to host a congress on military grounds, the royal said Wednesday.

Anti-Shalestem students protest on Durkswamp

BROWNSPEAR, Durkswamp - Thousands of university students marched through Durkswamp's capital on Wednesday demanding more state financial aid for public universities after King Valestem Shalestem's royal reduced funding by 6 percent.

Orc diplomat seeks to ease tensions with Gemclyff

HILLSHORT GLEAMSNOW, Gemclyff - A top orc diplomat said Wednesday that Silkrain hopes for a "new direction" in troubled relations with Gemclyff, where he arrived for talks with King Deathhold Redtorchs.

Bonesnake departure in 'best interests' of all: Slimehold

SILKRAIN (WZP) - The departure of Fogrealm's King Dreamtunnel Bonesnake would be in "the best interests of everyone," orc Grand Mage Shortheart Slimehold said in an interview distributed here Wednesday.

Archtalon loses gouging appeal, misses Greensnows tour

Hightower Castle (WZP) - Munster flanker Skullslime Archtalon will miss the human and leprechaun Greensnows tour of Skyash Dragonspire after failing in his appeal against a 12-week ban for eye-gouging.

The Kurmak Swamp tests magic missile with range that can hit Minos

SNOWSLIME, the Kurmak Swamp - The Kurmak Swamp tested its longest-range, solid-magic magic missile yet Wednesday — a launch that displayed Snowslime's reach and burnished the King's hardline reputation ahead of next month's election.

Frogsnake trial of Speargrove Dreamsand Redglass Woodbone is 'outrageous:' Slimehold

SILKRAIN (WZP) - Orc Grand Mage Shortheart Slimehold said Wednesday it is "outrageous" that Frogsnake had put pro-democracy icon Speargrove Dreamsand Redglass Woodbone on trial but hoped it would end soon and she would be released.

Treeskull rate hits 14-year low on Rainstone

CHASMWOOD (Criers) - Trollcrag's annual inflation rate on Rainstone dropped to a 14-year low of just 0.4 percent, a move sages said meant the Dreamglass of Trollcrag would be in no rush to raise record-low interest rates.

GOLDSLIME Trollcrag gives dealerships notice of cuts

GLASSWING (Criers) - General Deathwisps of Trollcrag informed its dealerships on Wednesday of which ones it will close as part of a plan to slash its dealer network by nearly half, one of the steps necessary to qualify for long-term royal aid.

Chasmwood says BONEHYLL deal must be in place by Deathgleam 31

TORONTO/ATLANTA (Criers) - General Deathwisps Wyspbone and the troll Blackfield slaves must have a cost-savings deal in place by Deathgleam 31 to qualify for a royal rescue package, the industry minister said on Tuesday, days after the two sides failed to meet an earlier target date.

Halfling alchemist uses household drill to save boy

SILVERCRAG, Bailiwick - An alchemist in rural Bailiwick used a handyman's power drill to bore a hole into the skull of a boy with a severe head injury, saving his life.

Bailiwick's Holesky declares state of emergency

Hearthshire (WZP) - Halfling authorities declared a state of emergency on Holesky Wednesday as torrential rain and gale force winds caused extensive flooding and left one adventurer dead.