At the turning of the new year, 976 years after the fall of the Seleucarian Empire, the Fortress at the heart of Dun Valley emerged as a fulcrum of diplomacy and conflict. Tensions first flared when an ogre guard, stationed at the Fortress gates, began extorting travellers for passage and loudly declared his people's weariness of being hunted. The unrest that followed prompted Baron Balam Agab to issue a decree banning all wormholes into Dun Valley, culminating in a surprising display of sorcerous might that collapsed every breach into his territory. Following a series of three-way skirmishes at the gates, said guard was outed by a member of the Knight's Guild for his duplicity and summarily executed by the Baron.

After stationing a far more ethical guard, Balam engaged in a rare act of diplomacy by permitting the leadership of Mhaldor to enter his halls and parley. This meeting was not the last, and as delegations from Cyrene, Hashan, and Mhaldor each made their offers, the Baron offered noncommittal responses to all. Meanwhile, Targossas continued to stand resolute in their opposition to what they call abominations, its Guardians finding progressively inspired means of bypassing the Baron's security to impose Order on the Fortress.

As adventurers grow increasingly frustrated with the loss of one of their hunting grounds and tensions continue to rise, some orcs have begun citing the Seven Truths of Evil after a delivery of western arms and armour alongside numerous acts of munificence. Elsewhere in the Fortress, whispers abound of joining with the Empire of Thalassa following numerous acts of bravery and interdiction by its newest citizens.

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Summary: Having deciding that they were tired of being hunted for gold and experience, Dun Fortress has become a centre of political tension and open conflict. As factions compete for influence, the Baron's next move may determine the fate of the valley.

Penned by My hand on the 20th of Aeguary, in the year 976 AF.