Mhaldorian troops struck in full force recently, slaughtering Vertani
guards and mages in El'Jazira. The Tanjinn secretary Jodi landed the
killing blow on Luftyr, the Vertani general. The desert sands flowed
with the crimson blood of Mhaldorians, El'Jazirans, and the strange
giant warriors and mages alike.

Following this, El'Jazira sought out alliances to assist the desert city
against Mhaldor. Moghedu expressed interest on the condition that
El'Jazira rid itself of the institution of slavery. Calling said
institution a part of the cultural traditions of its people, El'Jazira
declined the conditional offer. Thus far, no other cities or towns have
come forth to pledge official aide to El'Jazira.

Retaliatory action from the Vertani for their losses fell not in
El'Jazira but in Mhaldor itself, as Vertani troops led by General Kadran
marched into the city of evil. Shouts of "For General Luftyr!" rang out
in the Vertani tongue as the giants raged in battle against Mhaldor
soldiers, slaying many before retreating.

Two Vertani refused to join the retreat, staying behind in Mhaldor in a
suicide stand. One was heard to cry out "Mhaldorians! I stand here as a
testament to the will of the Vertani people. Your butchering, murderous
citizens will not intimidate us, aye, even unto the death of us all. I
will die this day, but many more shall be taken with me."

A squadron of Mhaldorians led by Cooper amassed quickly outside of
El'Jazira, preparing for a counterattack. A Vertani strike force sallied
out to meet them, slaying them all. Afterwards, a Vertani representative
posted directly to the public newsboard for the first time, in lieu of
using a translator such as Sethrin. The Vertani diplomat Hingar, having
learned Achaean, warned Mhaldor to cease their military actions lest
they suffer more casualties.

In a surprising turn of events, not Mhaldorians but two Ashtani struck
next month against the Vertani in El'Jazira: the Occultists Szanthax and
Xtassy. Xtassy, an ex-Mhaldorian still friendly with her former city,
slew an unprecedented number of Vertani -- over eighty of the giants
fell to this Greater Dragon in Phaestian of 381 A.F. Szanthax then
scribed a post claiming that the slaughter had been in response to
the Vertani's lack of respect for his personal ownership of all land in
Sapience.

In response to the murders committed under this ludicrous claim, the
Vertani demanded accountability from Ashtan. Xadzia, an Archon of
Ashtan, refused, stating that Szanthax had the freedom to do as he
wished. Finding this response lacking, the Vertani warned Ashtan to
"prepare". Erhon, the Overseer of Ashtan, decried the Vertani for making
demands and threats upon his city. He declared that any further
provocation would result in an open declaration of war.

From their base in the desert city of El'Jazira, the foreign giants now
stand in a position of full war against Mhaldor and teeter on the brink
of war with the powerful city of Ashtan. Will they, or El'Jazira, be
able to form alliances with other towns and cities to stand against the
foes they have acquired? Are their words merely braggadocio, or will
they truly declare war against the old and powerful city of Ashtan? Do
the Vertani simply seek to aide the El'Jazirans against their common
enemy, Mhaldor, or are their true intentions yet to be revealed?

Penned by my hand on the 10th of Chronos, in the year 381 AF.