Massacre in May

Increasingly reports of Orc and Centaur violence against humans are filtering into the borderlands. Many stories are now heard from the South about a massacre of humans in the west that occurred in May. The more hysterical accounts say that the Orcs and Centaurs are intent on exterminating humanity, and that a huge army is massing in the west.

The governments of Trowe, Hunteleye, Kye, Esthon, and Eastring are said to be calling for war against the Orc and Centaur tribes of the west. It is also said that Trowe is maneuvering in the senate for the appointment of an imperator. Courte and other eastern states are vacillating. Many in the east are mistrustful of Trowe, but they also fear incursions by the Eastern Empire.

Many of the western states have outlawed Orcs and Centaurs within their borders, and reports of pogroms against non-humans are increasing. Courte and the other eastern states have called for tolerance and understanding between the races.

Chariot Day

Chariot Day (or Plow Day as the peasants call it and that is closer to the truth) is a religious holiday, much like Christmas. It occurs on the last day of the ninth month. Since it is a holiday that lauds Andro over Eldro, it has very different connotations in the east. There it is considered a somber day of reflection. Elsewhere it is a festive and lively holiday for both men, dwarves and elves. It represents the day that Andro’s Plow was destroyed and his sacred cows were allowed to wander free. This is also the day that Andro threw off the influence of Eldro and became a separately recognized God.

The most widespread Chariot Day tradition is the imbibing the Drink of Sleep and Dreams, a sweet, mildly hallucinogenic drink. It is distilled by Clerics of Andro. The drink usually imparts a fantastic feeling of well being, but the Clerics say that Andro may ‘rip the veils of reality from a drinker’s face’ if he deems the person needs it. Therefore, there is a wide variation of effect. It is considered very safe and even young children drink watered down versions, which only tends to temporarily increase the imaginative element of their play and games.

In the rural areas of Saros, this is considered a very important holiday. No one works the fields or tends livestock. It is a day of rest, rejuvenation and giving thanks. In the East, Chariot Day is a somber day. People dress in black and stay at home. Sometimes hate crimes are perpetrated against temples of Andro. Of course, these are not officially condoned by Finley.

A Humorous Moment from Group 2, Session 2