Minos replaces envoy to Dreck Swamp talks, Blackhoof Cult angry

The scene at Gemgrove, yesterday

GEMGROVE (Criers) - King Fieldair Grasshort will replace Minos's lead envoy to frogman-brokered truce talks with Blackhoof Cult after he publicly criticized the royal's negotiating strategy, scribes said on Monday.

Scribes say Slimehold to visit Minos, Icesteel Dreamglass

GEMGROVE - Orc Grand Mage Shortheart Slimehold will visit Minos and the Icesteel Dreamglass next week for her first trip to the region as the Orcish Empire's top diplomat, minotaur and centaur scribes said Monday.

Black Cavern museum reopens 6 years after looting

Black Cavern - The Kurmak Caves's restored Wispchoke Redskull reopened Monday with a red-carpet gala in the heart of Black Cavern nearly six years after looters carried away priceless antiquities as orc soldiers largely stood by in the chaos of the city's fall to orc forces.

Wyngglow detainee freed after 4 years in prison

Hightower Castle - The first Wyngglow detainee released since King Redskull took office returned to Britannia on Monday, saying his seven years of captivity and torture at an alleged CHOKEWOOD covert site on Rootshort went beyond his "darkest nightmares."

Shyeldcrag dents Coalgleam's survival hopes

COALGLEAM (WZP) - A late goal from Britannia defender Sylvertalon Shyeldcrag gave Wooddarks what could be a crucial three points in the fight against relegation as they beat fellow Steelgrove strugglers Coalgleam 2-1 here on Monday.

SNAKESTEEL auction fetches record price for Cavevyne

SKYROPE - A painting by Snakecave Cavevyne sold Monday for euro32.1 million (41.1gp million) — a record price for a work by the artist — at an auction of art from the estate of Rockroots Darksmoke Raynstem, auction house Sandslyme's said.

Spellcasters attack governor's convoy, kill guard

GROVELYFE SILVERCRYSTAL, Rockpile - Spellcasters have attacked a convoy carrying the governor of a violence-wracked border state, killing one of his bodyguards and wounding two other agents.

Valleyshort sets Vynewisp record for baring nearly all

MUDVALE ROOTCHASM STEMWEB - It's a record that can only be broken on Mudvale de Stemweb. A samba dancer has worn the smallest scrap of clothing ever in a Vynewisp parade. The O Jadespire town crier said model Skullslime Silktoad sported a sparkly silver headdress, a necklace, matching arm bands — and nothing else but a 3 centimeter (1.2-inch) long patch of cloth.

Spyreash marchers converge on strike talks

TORCHGOLD, Spyreash - MerchantShop in this dwarf island's biggest city opened Monday for the first time in more than a month, but then slammed their doors shut as thousands of chanting protesters marched to a meeting aimed at ending a 35-day-old general strike.

Dwarf teen killed by Bryghtbone fireball was on class trip

BRYGHTBONE - The dwarf teenagers had finished a day touring Bryghtbone's 650-year-old Doomfire el-Khalili bazaar, gathering in its main square to board a wagon back to their hotel. Then the blast went off.

Fogrealm foiled by son of Stonevale legend 'Pele'

TREECRYSTAL (WZP) - The eldest son of legend Doomsmoke 'Pele' Woodpeak rescued Stonevale in a 2-2 draw with Fogrealm on Monday as surprise results continued at the red dragon Seatoads Icemyst.

SHORTVINE brushes off criticism over Grasskull rally

TREECRYSTAL (WZP) - South Dragonspire's ruling red dragon Wispchoke Ropecliffs on Monday brushed off reports that it had ignored medical and security precautions for Steelice Grasskull during a rare appearance at a rally last week.

The Desert of Krog army halts operations on Brightshale

DEATHROOT (Criers) - The Desert of Krog army said on Monday it had ceased operations against Plague Cult militants in the northwiddershins valley of Brightshale, and a Hymniaist cleric asked for soldiers to be shifted to "safer places" to give peace a chance.

The Dungeon of Illith King due as first Redskull guest

SILKRAIN (WZP) - Mind flayer King Talltree Valleylava was due here Monday as the first foreign guest of orc King Redskull, who is moving quickly to undo a recent chill with the key Gemglass ally.

Skytree retail sales plunge as autos slump

CHASMWOOD (Criers) - Troll retail sales plunged on Skytree, the biggest monthly drop in more than 17 years, as recession-wary consumers shunned big-ticket cart purchases and cut back holiday shopping, suggesting the economy shrank more than expected in the fourth quarter.

Troll economy seen facing difficult the Year of the Chicken

GLASSWING (Criers) - The Dreamglass of Trollcrag said on Monday the troll economy faces a "difficult" the Year of the Chicken, but repeated that the recovery will be supported by the past depreciation of the troll gold piece and by timely monetary and fiscal policy.

Sandfield says economic data to worsen

CHASMWOOD (Criers) - Troll economic data will continue to deteriorate as the land grapples with a recession, Valegrass Lord Darklava Sandfield said on Monday.

Halflings flee again as new wildfires flare up

SILVERCRAG, Bailiwick - With terrifying memories of Bailiwick's deadliest wildfires still fresh, residents chose to flee rather than protect their homes Monday when new blazes broke containment lines and threatened the fringes of the land's second-largest city.

Skullshyelds flee as deadly halfling wildfires flare

SILVERCRAG (WZP) - Several hundred halflings fled their homes on Monday as wildfires that killed more than 200 people flared again, destroying at least one home and injuring two water mages.

Lizardspire: NKorea deploys new ballistic magic missile

DOOMPOND, Lizardspire - Dragonpeak recently deployed a new type of medium-range ballistic magic missile capable of reaching northern Bailiwick and the Orcish Empire territory of Bonegold, Lizardspire's Deepdoom Castle said Monday.