For the fifth straight week, Haze Plague infects Auxientia, the death toll rising to 3,400 in the past week. Entire neighborhoods lie barren in the wake of the illness. Industries have shut down, mines have ceased operation. All of Auxientia lies fallow while death grips it in skeletal clutches.
Haze Plague began as a result of the industrial pollutants regurgitated from the smokestacks of Auxientia for the refinement of lumenstone. While new procedures in lumenstone refinement allow for a longer shelf life and greater power capacities, these processes appear to have created air impurities, which have led to this devastating and contagious disease.
Not even the most remote regions of our realm are safe. The lake villas of the Gilded houses lie empty, as several prominent members of our government have fallen to the disease, taking their families, servants, and friends with them. In the Bāhira highlands, the people retreat to the streets of their ancient cities, into the ruins of the old empire.
The Racing Tiger airship floats above the valley of Mutu, mooring only to refuel and gather supplies before it sets off again, its passengers a perpetual colony of the air. Will they stay aloft long enough to outlast this plague? The wyverns only know.
On the Western front, beyonder raiders have slowed their advance. In spite of our weakened conditions, the enemy’s spies seem to have brought word back to their forces, which now hesitate to advance upon Mutu.
Of all the factions of Auxientia, only the Parastin Order appears unaffected. They watch the walls to the West, North, South, and East, isolated and remote. Researchers at Auxientia University believe the plague has not reached them because they have had little contact with the larger population. Citizens are encouraged to follow the Parastins’ example and remain clear of others for the duration of this illness.
