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Gloucester Status

Scouting Report, November 1108

Much rumour has been spreading from the lush lands of the Forest Duchy of late. Tales of heroic deeds and enemies vanquished, but also darker tales of an invasion and terrible threats to chill the heart of the most valiant of Greenwood denizens.

What is known is that the Duchess of Gloucester led a large force of Harts and their allies into the depths of the Greenwood and regained a treasure of old, spilling the blood of many of the Hunters enemies in the accomplishment of this task.
The dread Hounds of Calligar are greatly weakened by the actions of those faithful souls that journeyed into the heart of the Hunter’s realm and this fills the people with hope that their new Duchess, though from a foreign land, is one of them at heart.

News of the return of the Earl of Chester was also greeted with good cheer and seen as a blow against the enemies that have assailed York. These dreaded Akari have also dared to set foot in the Greenwood. A large force entered by way of the circle at Forest Glen, but was likewise defeated by Harts and allies. It was believe that some remained but the Elves and creatures of the Greenwood have put paid to them for now, but who knows when they might return? And in what numbers?

The people of Gloucester are in good spirits. Enemies within have been ousted and the nobles of the land seem able to repulse attacks from without.

The people also welcome home one of the House of Hulce, which only goes to further the goodwill being felt currently.

Scouting Report, May 1107

Gloucester has recovered well from the Cataclysm. Though much of the land was damaged before it, the new buildings put in place after the destruction wrought by the Green Man have stood the test of the upheaval and stand firm. There has been much damage along the foothills of the Mountains, yet whilst it is widespread it is also minimal with few casualties. As always the people of Gloucester turn to their Ancestor, the Hunter for thanks that the cycle of life continues, new lands and peoples coming from the destruction of the past. At Stretton the Ritual Circle destroyed in the Cataclysm has been rebuilt with the aid of the Mages guild and the curfew that was in place in the City of Gloucester has been lifted since the defeat of the Unliving North of the borders into Keswick.

The City of Castleford, destroyed by the attacks of the Green Man the previous year has been partially rebuilt with aid by refugees from Chelmsford and people of the surrounding area flock to help and repopulate it.

Despite this destruction the people of Gloucester are as positive as they have been for a while. The head of House Hunter sits as duchess with a resurgent household and a number of strong, visible nobles from other influential groups behind her. The military presence of the Storm Ravens offers the people a feeling a security that has sometimes been lacking in the past, and there is much expectation around the fact that a Gloucesterman may be confirmed as Lord Regent.

Those in Gloucester who are aware of wider politics share a similar optimism. Many see themselves as instrumental in leading the way to a strong, stable Albion and believe that if they stay united then the rest of Albion will follow. Such unity is however slightly threatened by differences in perceptions of the duchy of Winchester; seen by some as their most obvious political rival, whilst by others as a very powerful potential ally. Ultimately however trust in Duchess Minoo and Earl William is sufficient that most will accept the nobles’ decision on the subject.

Devotion to The Trinity remains strong in Gloucester and helps bolster support for the more pious nobles. The Hunter in particular goes from strength to strength and there is widespread hope that the newly-formed Order of the Stag will find a permanent home in the duchy. Support for Nethras has declined slightly as her followers have left Gloucester to spread their message into other duchies, but overall she is still well respected.

Scouting Report, October 1106

With the presence of demons and the Green Man driven from the Greenwood the people of Gloucester are coping well with the food shortages. The Gloucester Battalion and the First Tooth & Claw try to get food through the forested areas to the people most in need.

With Cornwall as part of Albion again, the people of Gloucester are more settled without danger on their border. They welcome their brothers with open arms and get back to the task of rebuilding the land and feeding those in need.

Followers of Nethras and the Hunter work hand in hand to secure food and safety for the people of Gloucester. People seem to travel for miles to help with the rebuilding of Castleford and seem to want little in return. Nobles and serfs alike move bricks and burn bodies from the carnage that the Green Man delivered

Scouting Report, May 1106

In the duchy of Gloucester, the mountains seem almost alive. To the west, the Dragon’s Spine has buckled and the land started to shift. While in the East, the Spine of Albion seems to have responded almost as if it is retaliating; shifting, like a great beast stirring in its sleep.

In Hereford, the Stretton circle is destroyed by a massive pulse of void energies. This magic released by the cataclysm has affected the Blackwood somehow. Scouts report that the forest has started growing at an increased rate. There are also stories that something has come out of this magical pulse and started living within the forest.

People who have left the city of Gloucester during hours of darkness have not returned and are now reported as missing. Numbers have reached double figures resulting in a curfew being placed on when people can enter and leave the city.

With no one returning from transports to the circle at Sherburn, travel in Gloucester is slow and travel to the south means walking from Winchester or all the way down from Edwinstowe. This had made information gathering in Gloucester incredibly hard.

There are rumours of people who died in the famine rising again. Several villages around Forest Glen have been badly hurt by these walking dead. The creatures seem to have some sort of animalistic cunning and have managed to avoid the patrols sent to deal with them.

Faith in the Trinity has been quickly established in Gloucester although it was here that worship of Nethras, Hunter and the Pendragon were strongest. Most villages and town have shrines to the Trinity and it is the wardens of these shrines, who are instrumental in making sure that the dead are laid to rest and their bodies burnt.

Scouting Report, May 1105

The feeling in Gloucester is one of nervous anticipation. The armies have started to mobilise and supplies have been brought in for them. Morale in the duchy is high and although they are aware that invasion looms determination and confidence outweigh feelings of despair and fear.

Worship of Nethras is now fairly prevalent across the entire Duchy and black-robed members of the Order of the Crone are a familiar sight in ever village.

The ethos of rural Gloucester has become one of self-reliance. In the villages, nearly every man, woman and child takes turns to work and helps patrol for potential threats. People in the villages are regularly seen training with staff and bow. Fletchers work through the night stockpiling arrows for use if Gloucester is invaded.

In the cities however fear in growing. Although the villages are prepared for war, the people in their walled towns react in a different way - stockpiling food and supplies, strengthening the city walls and preparing for an influx of refugees from outside their walls. Fear and distrust of the black-robed incantors is almost as high as the fear of the Imperial legions that they are preparing against.