Season: Winter
Most Recent SWP: What Do I Stand For? (Athoria)
Upcoming SWP: January -- TBA (England)
Weather: Winters in Athoria are typically harsh, but for some reason winter has decided to take its time showing this year. Only recently has the cold turned into a sharp chill that cuts to the bone. In more northern areas and alongside the mountain range a snow has fallen, but nothing too detrimental. The skies are gray and cloudy with the threat of snowfall any day. It is recommended to keep fires blazing and to only go outside when necessary.
Realm: In a short amount of time, Athoria has practically lost two major cities in the realm. Leeds has not only fallen to a mass exorcism by secret priests of the Church of Athoria, but also to a deadly sickness caused by Mahalath’s (the horseman of Pestilence) exploding vessel. Some stragglers are still alive after the catastrophe, but none are exactly coherent and making much sense. As for Night Haven, it is said that the Bloodhawks exterminated the vampires during a pitiful daytime attack. Any other humans were sent immediately to the Ports of Athoria to serve their country.
Brailston and Monir are still picking up the pieces of loosing their family members to the recruiting and distinguishing fires and tending to their wounded. The Ports are practically empty now that the Royal Fleet has dispersed officially to England, and the locals are also tending to their city (see the Queen’s blog for more detailed information).
Talk: Athorians are devastated at the call for war, and most are still confused at the accusations that Queen Natalia has placed on King Jacob and his country. Any supernaturals that have remained behind during the recruitment are attempting to discover what clans are still active in Athoria and who is in charge of what. Stragglers are coming together to form odd alliances in order to prepare for their next move in survival, while others smuggle themselves onto the Royal Fleet in order to head to England themselves. It is said that any surviving demons from Seryth are fleeing to Belial in Oblitius Inferno.
Athorians are unsure of what to expect moving forward; will their families and loved ones ever come home? What does this mean for the future of Athoria?
Weather: Although England is usually in a dreary state, snow has begun to coat Richmond, Hereford and Awre heavily as expected. Light snow flickers down the main King roads into London and Rochester and Norwich. The waters in the ports are not cold enough to freeze, but still travel there is light this time of year. Winter is anticipated to be quite heavy come January and early February for Englanders.
Realm: More so than usual, extra guards and knights have been seen heading towards Wayward Harbor and the outlining beaches on the southwest side of England. They are setting up small camps and are seen training. The most unusual thing, however, is the lack of Athorian boats inside of the harbor. Wayward citizens report to the realm that for many, many days there has not been a single boat inside of the harbor coming from Athoria. In addition, any boats that have headed to Athoria have not yet returned. This is causing much suspicion and concern, and many Englanders are heading to the castle to inquire about the situation.
Talk: Englanders are saying that there is a threat in the ocean that they are unaware of. Some rumor it to be a sea serpent; others a fleet of pirates that are commandeering the ships. It has also been heard that there has been unusual activity around the Forest of Dean. Some say that they have seen great, black shadowy beasts lining alongside the edges, peering out into the roads and watching the travelers, though none of this has been officially confirmed.
