Starday, 20 Erastus 4713 AR (Waxing Gibbous)

Today's Poor Rykard Almanac entry for expected weather today is a low of 60 and a high of 80 (degrees Fahrenheit), with dry winds coming from the south off of the Inner Sea at 20 mph. A good wind and dry air to keep from feeling the bite of the middle of summer. And Old Rykard the Redundant's famous Almanac - put out once every five years as a periodical mainly for farmers and sailors, is a pretty penny because it comes from powerful divination. Sure, sure, there are those days where strange events and magic throw something off for a day or so. And the weather ends up tracking properly with the estimates in the alamanac within a week, usually w/in 10% of expected.

In the village of Heldren, a small village in Taldor just north of the Border Wood near Qadira, the PCs .... be they short-term residents or very recent arrivals ... have heard rumors of strange, unseasonable pockets of wintry weather appearing across Taldor. Or at least, such is circulated among Heldren's gossip mongers.

The reality of today in Heldren is a low of 55 and a high of 75 and dry. So, that is only a shade cooler and well within the alamanac's tolerance range, right? The only thing a little off is that the winds are from the north 15 mph ... same speed, different direction. But not entirely unseasonable.

But step outside of the town proper, and things take a turn for the weird ... and tragic.

The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather at the height of summer that descended on the forest just days ago. Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.

As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that the noblewoman’s escort came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood. He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their peaceful village.

Where might each of you be during a weekend (Starday = Saturday) when folks get together earlier than normal pub hours to ruminate? Go fishing with friends at the end of the week? Get a little extra business as possible to see to your success? Maybe get ready to court that special someone at a midsummer dance held this evening?