Doran’s Journal
Three Hundred Twenty Third Day in the Seventh Kingdom
– Freehold
I eagerly await the visit I expect from Master Jin. I can only hope that my progresses here in Freehold and the qualifications of my newly forged apprentice Pania will meet his approval. This represents an opportunity for vast rewards and to further secure my reputation within the Golden Tong. Whatever end the Lotus Eaters have been working towards seems to have not yet been met. Their presence continues in and around Freehold. Still more troubling the Grelken force that had visited Freehold a few moons back is still in the area, possibly collaborating with the shadowy assassins.
The matter of the greatest importance to the town of Freehold, and arguably the entire Seventh Kingdom, is a meeting to discuss grievances with the Kenrei ownership of the mine near Freehold. This mine, and the ore that it produces is of immeasurable importance to the financial well being of the community. The meeting has been called to address issues relating to the treatment of the mine’s workers, including their protection. It is also likely that the ownership of the mine will be challenged, possibly allowing another kingdom to make a claim. In any event, what transpires at this meeting should be of interest to anyone living in Freehold.
I must press for better treatment for my kinsmen that work this mine. They have legitimate grievances that I hope will be addressed with this meeting. First and foremost the families of the workers slain in the attack on the mine must be compensated for their loss. Greater efforts must be undertaken to ensure the safety of the workers both while they work and as they travel to and from the mine. Finally work must resume and the miners be paid for their efforts to date. The disruption from the attack cannot be allowed to impede the mine from functioning any longer. I will speak with all of the envoys and likely representatives to make certain we all agree on these vital matters.
To make matters worse, some terrible affliction is troubling all of the Beastkin. The best efforts of healers and physician alike can find no physical cause for their distress. Some believe this ailment may be tied to their sprit, owing to the fact that beastkin are especially linked to the spirit world. I believe this is a quirk of their legendary heritage as they were once men, linked to animal spirits to create warriors for some forgotten wizard. I certainly hope someone is able to remedy this situation; I’ve never been somewhere before that had so many of their kind. They have been almost uniformly welcoming and the bravery with which they have acted to protect all of Freehold should be a standard other races seek to achieve.
Representatives from many of the kingdoms visit our little stricken town this night. A lord of some standing from Pendrakken comes, he apparently has many questions of the Pendrakken men here in Freehold. I suppose he asks about the whole affair with Aubrey, and perhaps with their close ties to the Ixians, cemented with the marriage of O’Connell and Smiling Flowers. I am able to speak and even do a little business with Master Jin. Later Lord Hammerung, the envoy of Gotterdammerung visits, he gathers a force to ambush an encampment of the Grelken he has seen on his way into town. The attack goes quite well, though apart from a handful of dead trolls I’m unsure what benefit it was. I didn’t stick around to watch the gruesome interrogation of one of the captured trolls. Just the sounds I heard as I walked off were stomach churning enough for me.
Three Hundred Twenty Fourth Day in the Seventh Kingdom
– Freehold
The meeting to address the grievances of the mine will be held this day. I can only hope that with civil tongues the representatives of so many distant lands and differing peoples can reach an equitable settlement. When I see that Bryant Blackfoot will be presiding over the affair as a neutral party I’m amused to say the least. He’s certainly a friendly individual, I’m not sure I ever pictured him as a mediator of dispute. We learn that by the terms of the treaty of Freehold, only a single kingdom or people is permitted to control any mine. This means that any ideas of shared ownership must be quickly put aside.
In addition to the lands represented already by residents of Freehold, envoys have come to speak for the Kenrei, current owners of the mine in question, and Labrinthium. Each is allowed to speak on the matters at hand, to give the view from their perspective. First we discuss the lapses of the Kenrei management that have allowed harm to befall the mine. I am one of the few that speaks in support of them being allowed to learn from their mistakes, and to improve the management of the mine. Many propose that their nation be granted rights to the mine, with opposition from most other parties in every instance. There was nearly a silent chorus of laughter as O’dim spoke. I finally asked what was on the tongues of all assembled, wondering if there would be free men working the mine under the Jotunbrud’s management. Some made good cases for their kingdoms, soon it was time to reconvene and vote to settle the first question.
Only I speaking for the Riverfolk, of which so many work in the mine run by the Kenrei, Smiling Flowers envoy of Ixia, and the Kenrei envoy, support the continued ownership of the mine by the Kenrei. All others vote against this, including a representative for the peoples of the free tribes. The Fir Bolg made some interesting proposals during the discussion, that proceeds from the mine be divided among all of those that lend aid to its defense. This would of course require the consent of the managing kingdom. It seems like a splendid idea and I can only hope that it is supported by the new ownership. I do make a brief effort to claim ownership for the Riverfolk but it is regrettably short lived.
The negotiations are suspended when word reaches us of incredible news. Another mine for this precious ore has been discovered. Somewhere out in the hinterlands another site exists where a mine may be established. Whichever kingdom’s people can find this site may lay claim to the new mine. All scatter and scour the woodlands in search of this great treasure. The newly arrived Wild Elf Ilmaren finds the site, claiming this new mine for Fir Bolg. We shall soon see if the Fir Bolg leadership supports Connell’s pragmatic idea regarding the division of the mine’s profits. The older mine will be reassigned pending the results of a tournament of arms to be held next moon.
With so many exciting things happening, and the possibility of a much wider prosperity in Freehold from mining revenues, one could almost overlook the murderous Lotus Eaters creeping about. In fact more than a few of us did, both Annie and Tia fell to their blades just steps away from my shop. Not that time nor the other earlier did they catch me though. These swift feet of min managed to keep me free from harm once again. Some suggest that perhaps I am their target, I still doubt that I have grown so important as to be the target of hired assassins, besides so many people love me here in Freehold. Who could possibly want me dead.
