Cold bodies, frozen hearts

[Doubtful]

High Priestess Eidior Durdottir of Geimhreadh is dead. The age of moderation is over.

The priestess was struck down by none other than Auril herself, cutting short a rambling speech about how moderation and delicate work held the key to the churches future. Death came for Eidior in the form of a diamond, as hard, cold and beautiful as the Ice Queen herself and delivered to Priestess Inger and Acolyte Benson by a frostbitten devotee.

Eidiors body has been declaired unholy, as Eidior left Auril behind so Auril will leave her remains, disposed of as one would dispose of any unwanted rubbish.

The news flashes through the streets of Aquor, spoken with joy by the Snow Jaguars and whispered in worried tones by the townsfolk.

Eidior was always a voice of moderation amongst the clergy of Auril, encouraging trade and clemency in order to spread word of snow, seeing as she did Aurils terrible winters as a part of the natural cycle and a mere part of a greater puzzle.

In the temple of Geimhreadh great changes have taken place, Leif Ninetrees, former lover and long admirer of the High Priestess has left on a pilgrimage to the Great Glacier. Though not before a terrible argument with Aelfric Herjolfsson.

Aelfric has now taken the mantle of leadership within Geimhreadh and has promised to shake the mountains themselves with the power of Auril. ExiCorp have since dispatched a diplomatic group to discuss matters with the dwarves of Whurest and to offer tribute to Geimhreadh.

In Aquor Priestess Inger Westergaard is flexing her power, it's no secret she shares Aelfrics views on the Aurilite faith and the death of Eidior has given her rapid promotion in the church.

Inger has not had it all her own way however, her elation at seeing the work of Auril played out within her temple was tinged with tragedy as Acolyte Benson, one of her hardest working trainees, drowned herself in sacrifice shortly after disposing of Eidiors body.

Elsewhere in the town the people huddle for warmth in their homes, offering thanks and praise to Auril for sparing their miserable lives. Even the Enclave is affected, it's halls made frigid by icy drafts and numbing cold the fires and flames within seem to do little to mitigate the cold. Whether this is by Aurils doing or spite from Kossuth over the destruction of his temple is a matter of some fierce debate.

[The Butcher]

A cold breeze snakes through the hallway with a faint whistle, daring to extinguish the nearby candles. Ramza clasps his hands together, allowing the crimson sleeves of his robe to fall over his knuckles, hoping for some reprieve from the chilling wind. His expression is blank, complimented by his young, wrinkle-free face and shaved brows -- like a mannequin with turquoise eyes, marked with Thayan tattoos.

In front of Ramza is a list of Thayans who were summoned with haste. None of them don the same crimson robes as Ramza, nor are they shaved or tattooed as him, though a few of them are draped in the orange dressings of Kossuth, marking them faithful to the Lord of Fire.

"The enclave can no longer afford the political risks of keeping you here. You have all served Thay -- and Kossuth -- well, but here, you make us a target of the Aurillites when we cannot afford to have a war. For your generous service to the Enclave, I will give you this." Ramza unclasps his hands, producing a small leather pouch.

"This should assist you on your endeavors to serve Kossuth, for Thay has no more use of you; now, leave the enclave and do not return to here, or Thay, ever again."

[Peridan]

An ordinary looking fellow returns to Jimmy's, looking none too worse for the wear. He's still wearing a fur cloak from a trip north, he tells the tusked and gruff barkeep.

He orders a whiskey and stares into it for several hours, unmoving. Oddly enough, no one comes up to him or tries to provoke him, as is common in Jimmy's on a rough Saturday evening. He simply sits until the bar begins to close down. Finally, he stirs and stands. He heads to the door without touching his drink.

The glass sits, undisturbed. Its amber liquid remained still and smooth, as the last lanterns are extinguished in the silent barroom.

[Jhickey]

A man wearing dark armor lined in purple, with a purple hood, mask, and cloak receives the cold body and prepares it for its next journey.

[Intrepid42]

His beard crusted by ice, Glyir stands before the walls of Whurest, looking over the road that winds it's way down the mountain slope. He is alone, but for his thoughts.

[Fezzik]

Every once in a while, when she's seen (mostly at Jimmies or if she happens to have drunk to much and no peasants with pitchforks are about) a purple skinned, white haired, fiery eyed woman bursts out in laughter when she hears anything about the Aurilites.