Dearest Reader,
Spring has arrived in full bringing warmer evenings, more adventurers making questionable decisions in the daylight, and the persistent feeling that Maplewood is having the most eventful year of anyone’s living memory. This writer certainly has not had a lack of material to talk about.
Let us begin with the most pressing news: Maplewood now has a bee lawyer. Lucky, whose contributions to local democracy continue to defy belief, encountered a depressed Buzzer whose honey had been making people unwell. Rather than pursue more traditional remedies, Lucky suggested the Buzzer consider a career in law. The Buzzer, apparently taking the suggestion seriously, has since made three laws. We cannot confirm whether the Buzzer has passed the bar, but can confirm that Lucky remains the only person in Maplewood who would think to do this and pull it off.
Týnairn found themselves in combat last month with their legs rendered entirely unusable. This did not stop them at all; we have been told they continued to fight from the ground and blocked an arrow in the process. We are not surprised but are deeply impressed, and suggest that anyone who finds themselves dismissing Týnairn as a threat reconsider their position—and perhaps their own legs, while they still have use of them.
We would like to acknowledge Illivandros, who last month paid the entire inn’s tab and made a substantial contribution to the tip jar. Whatever brings a man to do something like that unprompted is his own business, but it is recommended that if anyone wants drinks they should go to the inn when Illivandros is present.
Kythaela Brownfox, normally seen with a look on her face that can only be described as ‘exasperated mother,’ partook in some elven bread last month and it really seemed to help lighten her stress level. She was seen basking in the sun (leading several observers to theorize that elves may be solar powered, a hypothesis this writer is now actively investigating), kissing her husband, and spinning in place to watch her skirts fan out. Later that day, she was overheard saying ‘Wait, I walked all the way up here to heal someone and nobody got hurt? This was a waste of time.’ We are glad she got some rest, but are not sure she is.
Word has reached us that Micah spent some time in Mercy House following an intimately close encounter with a Veilwalker. We are told he had protection, but the Veilwalker had a larger stick. We are choosing not to think further on any of this, but we wish his friends a full recovery and a more cautious approach to their next encounter.
In other news, the Maplewood community has discovered a shared interest in textile arts. An event involving magical sheep fiber resulted in Dramatis Personae attempting to spin yarn: two successfully, one with no success at all, and one with great enthusiasm and mixed results. We will not say who did not succeed in their mission, but will say that if anyone is in need of having yarn spun they should not approach Titus unless that yarn spinning involves Civen law somehow.
This writer would be remiss not to note that our own editor-in-chief, Penelope Marianus, was observed last month in spirited conversation with her husband, her sister, Evilynn, and Jace Flynn. The subject of the conversation has not been confirmed, though what can be confirmed is that Lynn whispered something in her sister’s ear and shortly thereafter, Poppy stepped into the leylines and has not been seen in Maplewood since. What was said, and where our editor has gone, remains unknown. This writer wishes her well and notes that the paper continues to publish in her absence, which she would want.
And now, the matter that has occupied our thoughts at length: the adventurers ate a werewolf. The entire thing. Deliberately. The werewolf had been deceased for some time. We have several questions, but are electing not to ask any of them. Everyone survived, which seems like the best possible outcome given the circumstances, and this writer instead chooses to focus on that.
Maplewood continues to be exactly what it has always been: a small town where remarkable things happen to people who mostly seem to deserve them. This writer will continue to watch closely.
Yours Truly,
Madam Mapleleaf