The State of the World for 998 New Era

This edition of the State of the World covers the time span of August 1, 1999 to November 20, 1999. In game time that's the year of 998 NE. A special thanks to Alderic for help in creating events and writing entries.

After several years of talk, in 998 the government bodies of Illian came to an agreement to call the Hunt for the Horn, and heralds were dispatched early in the year to invite Hunters to take the Blessing.

In the Summer of 998, on Maighdal 25, a falling star was seen passing over much of the world. It was first spotted over Illian, where its passage was accompanied by a loud booming sound. It flew over the River Cary, and above Caemlyn, sloped up over Tar Valon, and finally crashed somewhere south of Fal Moran, Shienar, in a small village known as Veroeil. So bright was its passage that it was even seen by the Aiel beyond the Spine of the World. The falling star was seen to drop debris. The pieces that fell to the ground around Caemlyn sparked dry grasses and brush alight, and the city spent the rest of the night battling fires. The fight seemed to be a losing battle until a sudden storm dropped rain to help dowse the flames. Some rumoured this rain was conjured by Rio Sedai and Queen Aislynn herself. Hundreds of refugees from burned out farms in the countryside sought shelter in the city. The farm of the Children of the Light was similarly beset by fire, but despite that the Children sent men to help in the city. The Queen and Prince Greydon kept up their efforts until they collapsed from exhaustion. Relief efforts for the injured, homeless and those who lost loved ones to the fire began almost immediately, and included a temporary infirmary in the Palace courtyard, and Crown funds used to rent inn rooms for the homeless. In the White Tower, it was noted that many of the channeling women there developed headaches as the object passed. One older Aes Sedai, Tezanya, seemed to be particularly affected, and died soon after the object left the Tar Valon area.

A party of travellers journeying to a small village called Veroeil for the festival of Tandar discovered that this poor hamlet was where the falling star hit ground, and they did what they could to help the injured. They reported most of the village destroyed, and said that the burning star plowed so deeply into the earth it appeared as nothing more than a huge ball of dirt. They took the refugees of the village to Fal Moran, then headed into nearby Waygate, enroute to Illian.

A few days after the passage of the star, the first Blessing of the Hunters in Illian was marred by a strange rain of dead fish.

A few weeks later, other strange events were noted in many areas of the world. The sun and moon both appeared to have a slight green tinge to peoples around the world, and it was several months before this completely disappeared. Parts of the Shienaran countryside and the eastern edge of Fal Moran were devasted by huge landslides which clotted the River Erinin with red, acrid-spelling loam that churned the water into a blood-like colour. More alarming than the water's appearance was its effect, and a sickness characterized by fevers and turbulent bowels spread throughout Tar Valon and other river communities. Several deaths were attributed to this, but the High Council of Tar Valon limited the impact by confiscating cloth from merchants and distributing it around the city to allow citizens to strain the water before drinking.

As the year 998 drew to a close, following many years of frustration, a cure was finally found for the catatonic state affecting people who come into close contact with certain plant spores found in the Blight. The cure consists of an herbal lotion and soap, which is now given as standard issue to all scounts. However many of those cured find they have amnesia for a period of time from a few weeks up to a year prior to their infection with the spores.

A few months into the year 998, the Shaarad Aiel of Sun Ridge Hold and their Ogier visitors mounted an expedition to look for the site of a long-forgotten stedding revealed in an Ogier tome purchased from a trader. They successfully located the stedding, but found the oasis overrun with deadly two-step vipers and unsafe for habitation for either group. The party also discovered the body of the young Ogier Kus'kinn, who had disappeared with the book soon after the Ogier's arrival in the Waste in late 997.

The Ogier were not the only visitors in the Hold. A Child of the Light named Inarin had come in the accompaniment of peddlers. He accused Kamjolt of being a Darkfriend, and Kamjolt in turn accused Inarin of the same crime. Both men were put under the protection of the Maidens until the truth could be uncovered, and this protection proved necessary when Kamjolt's own sister, Cyriala, tried to kill him. She herself was killed by the Maidens Rhiadha and Jeire. The distraught Kamjolt confessed that both he and his sister were Darkfriends. He soon followed her into death when Alaere defended Inarin against Kamjolt's attack.

In the autumn of 998, the Shaarad witnessed a curious sight while on a raid against a Hold of the Goshien. The sight of the shooting star came just after the Shaarad Clan prevailed, and was considered by them to be a great omen of their victory. Later that night the Aiel noticed that Sky Leaf, a green star that normally passes from the south of the Waste to the north each night, had disappeared from the skies.

The year 998 began well in the region. The weather was exceptionally fine and promised bumper crops. Pirate raids were virtually non-existent. The presence of the Children of the Light, while worrisome to those who came under suspicion and their families, continued to deter the hungry desires of Arad Doman and Tarabon. Along the coast, reconstruction efforts after last year's terrible hurricane were well underway, and with the help of Sea Folk borne supplies, Falme was almost completely restored by the beginning of Autumn.

But the Falmen determination was soon tested again as the city was rocked by a terrible earthshake which claimed over a hundred lives and destroyed many buildings. The earth's rumblings were felt in other parts of the region, but not severely enough to cause much damage.

As the year 998 began, Queen Adreana reduced the temporary taxes imposed the previous year to raise funds to assist the poor in rebuilding their homes after the bad floods of 996.

The tempers of the nobles affronted by these taxes were not so quick to subside. The northern nobles grew increasingly hostile to the rule of the Throne of Winds throughout the year. One of them, Lord Carlesan of House Rianande, has grown wealthy indeed from his vineyards. House Rianande never knelt to Adreana's power, and submits no taxes to the royal coffers. There were rumours that Carlesan had grown so impudent that he was seizing the taxes collected from other nobles as they were being taken to the nominal capital. Investigators could not prove the rumours true, however. If they are, Carlesan played a clever game indeed, increasing his own power and wealth while Adreana's reputation in the eyes of the other nobles was diminished for ordering the extra tax collections in the first place.

It was also reported that Carlesan was seeking to raise a force of levees, although opinions about his intentions were divided. Some believe he seeks only to protect himself from Adreana or his fellow nobles should proof be found of his siezure of funds intended for the Crown. Others felt this was but the first gambit in preparations to move openly against the Queen and take the Throne of Winds for himself.

After the hard winter of 996 and the cattle and hog plague of 997, the Amadicians were relieved by bumper crops in the year 998. But full stomachs do not always mean easy minds...

The falling star that passed over the world near the end of 998 was seen as a portent and cause for concern in many lands, but the Amadicians are an exceptionally superstitious people. They felt certain that the witches of the Tower must have been responsible for such a thing, and accusations and attacks against anyone remotely suspected of channeling or being at all unusual reached pogrom levels. The capital of Amador was particularly affected by this fever and was rocked by riots that killed dozens of people as the year ended.

The year 998 began with more noble troubles for Andor. Lady Calisa Hune was discovered to have been kidnapped, last seen in the company of an Inquisitor and several other Children of the Light. Captain-General Durnik likewise disappeared after heated words with Duchess Rennar and Lieutenant Cronus about the progress of the investigation. Cronus and Prince Jhafir of Arafel investigated the kidnappings, and eventually discovered where Calisa, and also Lord Captain Inarin of the Children of the Light, were being held, freeing both from tortures at the hands of a mad Inquisitor, Viktor. It was later found that Calisa swore oaths to the Dark while under torture, oaths she renounced. Queen Aislynn allowed Calisa to keep her life, but stripped her of her titles and ties to House and family.

Jaelinn Acacia Li'Thrain was convicted of having murdered Aislynn's mother Queen Aurian, her female relatives and several other Andoran nobles. She escaped from her cell in the dungeons three days before her scheduled execution. Lord Jeffrin Hune did not escape justice for his crimes, however. He stood trial for kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and interference with rightful inheritance. Additional crimes were revealed through the testimony of Duchess Rennar Hune, his main victim, though she also refuted the charge of conspiracy to commit murder. Magistrate Vincenne sentenced Jeffrin to a public flogging, carried out immediately after the trial, and further sentenced him to banishment from the nation of Andor upon pain of death should he return.

But there were happier happenings among the noblility, as well. Lord Caeringil Ildevwyn proposed to Lady Carinae Belmond, who is also related to the Andivell family. She refused his first two proposals, but accepted the third. Lord Aeron, cousin to Queen Aislynn, proposed to Jaeara, a young woman who had previously served as his footman while masquerading as a boy. Shalayne and Lord Deveran were married in a quiet ceremony in the Palace gardens in Caemlyn. The ceremony was officiated by Meeko. Duchess Rennar Hune and Lord Demonder Roesone surprised many with a spontaneous marriage following House Roesone's public ball to unveil their new manor, rebuilt after a fire destroyed the old one at the end of 997. And the happiest news of all was the healthy birth of Aislynn's first child, a son. The new prince was named Aranvor Caius Vincennes Versyr.

A series of strange storms rocked the city in the summer, storms some rumoured to be the work of the One Power. Perhaps that was the excuse for the Children of the Light to be bold enough to attack a Tower group departing from Caemlyn not long after. Queen's Guards blockaded the Children into their farm for a time, and it was rumoured that the Children's treaty with Andor was renegotiated as a result.

In the Summer a bright falling star was seen to pass over Caemlyn and sightings were reported elsewhere in the world as well. It was seen to drop debris. The pieces that fell to the ground around Caemlyn sparked dry grasses and brush alight, and the city spent the rest of the night battling fires. The fight seemed to be a losing battle until a sudden storm dropped rain to help dowse the flames. Some rumoured this rain was conjured by Rio Sedai and Queen Aislynn herself. Hundreds of refugees from burned out farms in the countryside sought shelter in the city. The farm of the Children of the Light was similarly beset by fire, but despite that the Children sent men to help in the city. The Queen and Prince Greydon kept up their efforts until they collapsed from exhaustion. Relief efforts for the injured, homeless and those who lost loved ones to the fire began almost immediately, and included a temporary infirmary in the Palace courtyard, and Crown funds used to rent inn rooms for the homeless.

Strange events also occurred in other parts of the realm. Captain Kellian Devail and Lieutenant Talwyn called on advisor Rio Sedai and several other Tower members to assist the Queen's Guard on a mission to a remote village in the Mountains of Mist following rumours of attack. The rumours varied, citing the attackers as bandits, Cairhienin soldiers and even Shadowspawn. The group and the villagers were attacked by hundreds of men dressed in Cairhienin uniforms. After successfully countering the threat, the group returned home. Refugees from the town of Tolmec slowly streamed into Caemlyn, fleeing the horror they had witnessed.

The year 998 drew to a close with a diplomatic mission that may have repercussions for years to come. Queen Sydelle of Murandy arrived in Caemlyn amid much pomp and ceremony a few days before the annual Festival of Roses celebration, seeking Queen Aislynn's assistance in keeping her throne and maintaining peace in Murandy. Captain-General Durnik ordered many security measures into place, both in the city and the Palace. Despite these, Sydelle was assassinated on the grounds of the Royal Palace itself, killed with an arrow through the heart. A handkerchief marked with a pair of snake eyes and a forked tongue scrawled in blood was found near the body - the same image found on a wall of House Hune after a massacre that claimed 11 lives, the same image connected with the deaths of an Andoran official and two Queen's Guards. Tairen ambassador Edilim made it known that he saw the assassin up on a balcony - dressed in Andoran livery. Sydelle's honour guard angrily confronted the Queen's Guards in the palace, but Captain-General Durnik and his forces ably took them in hand. Durnik then tightened security of the Palace and city even further, and fully 20,000 Queens Guards were ordered to camp outside the city proper in addition to those that swarm within its limits.

Just a few days later, on the last day of 998, Duchess Cathryn, High Seat of House Roesone, was found assassinated in her chambers. There were rumours that a house guard and a lady-in-waiting were also lying dead with the body, and another man was found drugged and injured, but he died soon after. Daggers were the weapon in all the deaths, and other rumours say that the sign of the snake eyes and forked tongue was found painted on the windows in blood. As many rumours as there were about the manner of Cathryn's death, there were even more about who will assume her position within the Roesone family. Paedrig Gaidin put forward a claim, as did his half-brother, Lord Turail.

Soon after the start of the year 998, the capital of Bandar Eban was swamped by a tsunami. Although there were several deaths, property damage was minimal and did not take long to repair. There were many who saw this as a sign of a worse tragedy to come, however.

A few months later, Queen Arima died suddenly in childbirth. The child was saved, and was named Princess Julleane. King Vadim loved his wife dearly, and the affairs of state were left to his oldest son and heir-apparent, Prince Balsim, for the rest of the year. Balsim was assisted by the King's Aes Sedai advisor, Kinjua Masciev of the Blue.

There were those among the council of generals and advisors that suspected that the Taraboners were somehow behind this governmental disturbance, as the Queen's death occurred in the royal coastal retreat near the Almoth border. One such general, Lord General Samir of House Hussar, sought to use the Queen's death as a pretext to invade the Almoth Plain in force and make it a protectorate and buffer state, but Prince Balsim and Kinjua Sedai both refused to give him leave to send armies there in force.

This decision only fueled the quiet griping against Kinjua's increasingly powerful role in the government, and certain of the Houses murmured that perhaps it was the Tower and not Tarabon who had a hand in the Queen's death, but those rumours were given little credence by most.

Sea trade suffered during unseasonable storms that rocked the coast in the middle of the year, but as these also took many of the pirate vessels that had been troubling the Aryth Ocean for the past few years, once they passed sea trade redoubled as the year drew to a close.

In early 998, Lady Cristasse of House Jachenni returned from her long visit to Tar Valon. Cristasse had long been rumoured to be the King's mistress, and Bromm's evident pleasure at her return did nothing to dispel the rumours. He held many sumptuous banquets and festivities upon her return, honouring her openly by seating her next to him and presenting her with fine gifts while at the same time virtually ignoring his wedded wife, the popular Queen Solanna.

After a few months of that, the Queen removed herself from the court at Shol Arbela on the pretext of a visit to her brother's keep in Roasana in the heart of her family's holdings. The courtiers and generals found themselves torn between supporting their rightful liegelord or pleading the case of their beloved Queen, a case made stronger by the King's shameless behaviour. The Queen's brother, Lord Vaitr of House Nisandi, is uneasy about his sister's presence, and was rumoured to be working furiously to affect a reconcilation. Other rumours, thick as pollen in the spring air, reported that Queen Solanna sent many communications to other rulers in the lands, trying to bring pressure to bear against her wayward husband.

Arafel's Borderland neighbours grew concerned and frustrated by these marital intrigues, which have entirely distracted the King and his court from pursuing peace talks in the border dispute with Kandor. The Saldaean Ambassador to Arafel, Lord Gurval of House Ladzani, was ejected after demanding that the King personally attend a series of the negotiations, further alarming his neighbours. The Tower was rumoured to be equally concerned, and sent Blue Dianys Mathineos to attend Solanna while advisor Raineri Halliwell Sedai continued her attempts to work directly with King Bromm and encouraged Lady Cristasse to remove herself from court again.

As the year 998 opened, the Cairhienin nobles continued to be troubled by revolts in the eastern areas of the country. Queen Healy appointed her ambitious uncle, Lord Edwaenes, as her "Sword-Arm" to better coordinate and prosecute the campaigns against the uprising commoners. Indeed, Healy dispatched many of her courtiers to the east, even her Aes Sedai advisor, Lialle Belantos of the White, and there were those who whispered that this too was a great ploy of Healy, and that her own House has been financing the revolt as a tool to rid her court of those that would do her ill or confound her rule.

Healy's continued indecision in selecting a consort was also considered a gambit to keep her nobles busy scheming to attach their Houses to hers through marriage rather than hatching schemes to remove her. However in the Summer of the year, one of the delegates in a noble party of Tairen visitors seemed to capture her fancy. The man is one of the younger sons of Kale Na'uin, a High Lord of Tear, and brother to Lord Dain and Lady Minaka, who had recently been sent to study at the Tower when it was discovered she could channel. Queen Healy was seen spending much time with this young man, and not only in the formal settings of court dinners and ceremonial occasions.

The year 998 began poorly for the Children. Lord Captain Inarin and Lady Calisa of House Hune were kidnapped by an insane Inquisitor, Viktor, who tortured his captives. They were freed by the Caemlyn Guard, but the mark this left on the Children's reputation in the area will be hard to overcome.

A small group of Children, including Child Jessop and led by Lieutenent Lyman, went back to Tar Valon and established a small camp there, no larger then fifteen men. Soon, however, Lyman began to get out of control, and he apprehended the former Sage, Tehannah. After a few days of capture and torture, Tehannah was freed by Child Jessop, and Lyman was put in shackles and sent to Lord Captain Commander Emrich, where he was hanged for his crimes. Jessop was then promoted to Hundredman, and given command over the small group in Tar Valon.

Inarin made more of a name for himself later in the year after travelling to the Aiel Waste. He had discovered and seen justice done to Darkfriends there, at the risk of his own life.

There were some unnerving changes in the status of the Children of the Light in 998. The Lady Ameleyne, both the widow and daughter of famous Children of the Light, came to the Caemlyn farm late one night. Along with being related to honored Children, her House has been staunch supporters for the Children of the Light for years. Though she has announced the intentions of her visit to Emrich, her presence was still worrisome to Lord Captain Commander Emrich. The arrival of the retired Hand of the Light, Daric, also caused some concern. The man is legendary in his field, and his presence in Caemlyn presented Emrich with some options which he hadn't had before. Three other Children also arrived, Hundredman Catul, Liuetenent Shang, and Legionairre Jemad. However, perhaps most surprisingly of all, the new High Inquisitor, Lazerus, also came to the Caemlyn Farm, though his reasons for doing so are as yet unknown.

The Children of the Light in Caemlyn found themselves blockaded by a large force of Queen's Guards after Queen Aislynn took affront to an attack on a Tower party departing Caemlyn. Emrich skillfully resolved the situation and the Guards were removed.

In the Summer a bright falling star was seen to pass over Caemlyn and sightings were reported elsewhere in the world as well. It was seen to drop debris. The pieces that fell to the ground around Caemlyn sparked dry grasses and brush alight, and the city spent the rest of the night battling fires. The fight seemed to be a losing battle until a sudden storm dropped rain to help dowse the flames. Some rumoured this rain was conjured by Rio Sedai and Queen Aislynn herself. Hundreds of refugees from burned out farms in the countryside sought shelter in the city. The farm of the Children of the Light was similarly beset by fire, but despite that the Children sent men to help in the city.

The presence of the Children on the Almoth Plain remained strong, and they assisted the battered town of Falme in its rebuilding efforts after a terrible hurricane in 997. Many of those efforts were destroyed in an earthshake soon after.

No update given

Border disputes were common in the year 998 when a plague affecting livestock in Amadicia led some citizens of that nation to blame their neighbors in Ghealdan. In response to this Ghealdanin villages refused to allow any Amadician animals, whether noticeably ill or not, to pass across the border, and during the height of the sickness even refused passage for the Amadicians themselves. This led to a few notable scuffles and many more screaming matches, but the Legion of the Wall intervened before there was bloodshed while leaving the local villagers to actually escort Amadicians and their animals back across the border. Protests from Amadicia's King Turqual were generally ignored, leading some Amadicians to decry their king as they claimed that what he truly feared were the unchecked channelers in Ghealdan who were to blame for the illness.

The increase in the numbers and arms of the military which started a few years ago continued into 998. Despite the personal contributions of the Nine to the military preparations, the Assemblage was forced to level new taxes upon the people, spurring riots in the outer areas and even the Perfumed Quarter. The Companions quickly restored order, but not before a few dozen people lost their lives.

Meetings of the Assemblage were tumultuous in the early part of the year, with many debates about whether or not to call the Hunt for the Horn. Fists flew on occasion, and the delegation of shipowners walked out of one session in protest. While some supporters were more interested in earning revenues for the city through the influx of Hunters, many put forward the motion out of the sincere concern about the times. In the end, the Assemblage came together in favour of the proposal, and to the entire nation's great surprise, the Council of Nine and the King also supported the decision. Heralds were sent around the lands to call Hunters to Illian to receive the first Blessing.

In the Summer of 998, a falling star was seen passing over much of the world. It was first spotted over Illian, where its passage was accompanied by a loud booming sound before it sped northwards.

Not long after, a great crowd of prospective Hunters for the Horn gathered in the Square of Tammuz to receive King Kurrad's Blessing. The event was marred by what what many take as a bad omen - what began as a light drizzle turned into a downpour of water and... fish. Mostly the fish rain was made up of partially cooked pieces of heads, tails and fins, but a few live fish also fell from the clouds. The finery of those gathered for the Blessing was fouled, and many people sicked up at the stench and sight of fishguts.

No update given

Relations between Kandor and Arafel grew even more strained in 998. King Mahal and his advisors continued to hold the Arafellins responsible, citing King Bromm as more concerned about his lovelife than his borders. The ceasefire came near to breaking when King Bromm expelled the Saldaean Ambassador to Arafel for attempting to push the matter of the negotiations. It took all of the skills of the Gray Sedai involved in the negotiations to cool Kandori tempers.

After struggling on with her questionable purposes in Tar Valon, which were hampered by the lack of discretionary funds from Mayene, the Lady Aselain returned home in the middle of the year 998 with her retinue of servants and guards. Her reunion with her sister Leilah, the First of Mayene, was a cool one, confined to the barest minimum required for civility. The courtiers also noted that Aselain seemed more pleased by the welcome of her brother-in-law, Lord Chalien, than that of her own husband. Before barely a month had passed, Lady Aselain was given numerous and minor official tasks to keep her busy, and often keeping her away from the First's court.

Queen Sydelle's fortunes continued to decline during the year 998, and most believed her to be holding on to her throne by the skin of her teeth. Many of the noble Houses which had supported her family's brief dynasty had broken away to support the man increasingly viewed as her rival, Lord Renford of House Fiores. All but one of the rest have distanced themselves from the Queen and are more than willing to entertain Renford's overtures as well as Sydelle's attempts to win them back.

During the summer a bright falling star passed over Murandy, travelling northwards. Its passage over Murandy was accompanied by none of the ills that were visited elsewhere. Rumours rose up in the streets that the star proclaimed the coming of a new ruler for Murandy, one who would lead her into greatness, although cynical observers suspected that Lord Renford's coin may have gone a way towards purchasing these rumours.

With nowhere else to turn, Sydelle turned her eyes northward towards Andor. Although relations between Andor and Murandy have rarely been cordial and have more than occasionally erupted into border skirmishes, Sydelle had long been known to respect Queen Aislynn, and felt that the much more cohesive and powerful nation of Andor would be a useful ally, indeed. In the last month of 998, Queen Sydelle made a formal visit to the court of Andor, where she was received amicably and with much ceremony. Sydelle made her case at the High Court of Andor, and Queen Aislynn agreed to consider her requests and do what was in her power to assist the southern Queen.

This ray of light in Sydelle's reign was cut short as brutally as her life when she was assassinated on the grounds of the Royal Palace in Andor. As little as they liked their Queen, the Murandians like Andor even less, and her murder on Andoran soil resulted in an uproar. The outrage only grew as the Murandians heard the assassin wore Andoran livery, and many felt that the Andoran government was doing little to properly investigate the situation, if not engaged in outright coverup.

As the year 998 began, Eldest Marith and a group of Ogier from Stedding Maotai were visitors in the Waste, searching for a stedding mentioned in an old Ogier tome, as well as the young stonemason Kus'kinn who disappeared with the book soon after the Ogier arrived in Sun Ridge Hold in late 997.

It was some months before Aiel scouts found reliable signs of the stedding and an expedition was mounted. The Aiel and Ogier finally discovered the stedding, but there found much sadness and tragedy. The oasis did indeed have a good source of water, but was overrun with deadly two-step vipers and unsafe for habitation by Ogier or Aiel. The party also discovered the body of the young Ogier Kus'kinn, the missing book lying by his side.

The Ogier group left the Waste soon after, travelling to Shienar. They arrived there in time for the coronation of the new King, Menel.

Saldaea prospered well in the year 998 NE, but not as well as it had in previous years. Pirate raiding was severe along the coast early in the year, and the end of the year saw a serious outbreak of flu throughout the country. Although most recovered from the illness, it reached deadly proportions amongst the youngest and oldest of the land, and most families lost at least one baby or elderly relative.

The illness delayed the ambitious construction efforts Beah had begun the previous year, but did not bring them to a halt. Building of the new city of Bazzan and additional Blightborder strongholds and garrisons continued throughout the seasons of fine weather, as did the effort to pave the nation's most important roads with stone.

Relations grew strained between Saldaea and Arafel after Arafel's King ejected the Saldaean Ambassador from his court and country. Lord Gurval of House Ladzani angered the King by demanding that the King personally attend a series of the negotiations designed to mediate the border dispute between Arafel and Kandor. Queen Beah's fury at this outrage was moderated only by her commitment to fostering peace within the Borderlands as soon as possible lest the Blight awaken to take advantage of any rifts between the Borderlands, and although it was rumoured to have galled her exceedingly, she immediately began sending messengers to the Arafellin King to discuss the selection of a new Ambassador.

No update given

The year 998 began with a tragedy in the royal House. Princess Aliara died and her twin Teverra fell into a coma after the two fell into a bag of plants harvested from the Blight while playing. The plants had been collected for research into their possible connection with the strange affliction affecting many of the Blight Scounts. Princess Lina was sent to her mother's homeland of Tear soon after Aliara's funeral.

Despite their personal tragedy, the royal family proceeded with the biannual Crown Tourney some months as scheduled. The ceremonies were marred by frosty relations between King Saagen and Queen Tabitha, and by more grisly tragedies. The bodies of three murdered women were discovered during the month of festivities. Both were of short stature with long dark hair, similar in appearance to another murder victim found the previous year, and like her they were killed quite violently. Investigators Marzan and Jessop were put in charge of investigating the crimes.

The closing ceremonies of the Fal Moran Tourney were quite eventful. King Saagen rose at the banquet and announced he was abdicating his throne to his son Menel, citing the reasons of his poor physical and mental health. Menel then announced the winners of the competition. Khiara's winning entry to the crafter's competition, a selection of herbal lotions and beauty aids, had been used on the comatose Princess Teverra, and had brought some signs of life back to her, although she did not fully recovered. The new King was then coronated, although in a strange break with tradition it was his mother Tabitha who performed the ceremony rather than his father. Immediately following the coronation, a man in green rose and introduced himself as a Herald from Illian, and announced that the Hunt for the Horn has been called. Val'Carai Lieutenant Dayne caused an uproar of his own by publicly gifting Queen Tabitha with a beautiful necklace. This sent Saagen into a rage, and he whisked his wife back to the Fortress. The third dead body was discovered by festival attendants on their way home. Yet another slight, dark-haired murdered woman was found a few months later. Lady Sayuri Torigawa had accompanied her father to court to pay respects to the new King. Her body was found in the gardens of the Fal Moran Fortress itself, causing a furour of security concerns.

A summer of troubles was heralded by the fall of a star from the sky. It landed some miles south of the Shienaran border, in a small village called Veroeil. Heavy rains began in Shienar and surrounding areas within hours of its fall. The rain was dirty with powdered earth and green crystal grit. The rains soon grew into violent thunderstorms with fierce winds and huge balls of hail. After some days of rain, a great mudslide roared down the slopes of the foothills of the Spine of the World in the eastern part of Shienar. The wave of mud and rock rolled over a village in its path, then on to Fal Moran itself, where it toppled sections of the city wall and destroyed or damaged many homes and businesses in the Vandorin Way.

Soon after the start of the year 998, the citizens of Fal Moran were treated to a spectacular display of the Illuminator's art. Sparks flew on the ground as well as in the sky when two Blademasters crossed swords. Lord Andrei of Arafel, who was reported to have drawn and attacked first, was killed by his opponent, a woman named Shirin. She did not stand trial until much later in the year, gravid with child at the time. After hearing the case, King Menel decreed that Shirin and her lover Isandros should be wed as soon as possible, and that Shirin was banished from Shienar for a time. She collapsed soon after the trial and gave birth to a son, Sirhan, and she and Isandros were married once she had recovered from the birthing. Another birth of note occurred on Amadine 17, the arrival of the son of Kessa Sedai and Lord Sebastian Hiroshige, named Shawn Garen.

No update given

Criminal activities were again a problem in the year 998, starting with a plague of pickpockets at the annual Feast of Fools celebration. The thieves added insult to injury by leaving behind notes reading "A fool and his money are soon parted." Two cutpurses were later apprehended.

The criminal element struck again during the festival of Bel Tine. The Black Suns cartel was suspected of burgling the main shop of the House of the Golden Goblet while the Methraine family was hosting a celebration at their manor. The celebration included a knife-throwing contest, in which Ya'angren of House Sulamaad and Ryles of House Vanderode tied for the honours. Sergeant Brannon of the Tar Valon guards took first place in an archery contest held in the Ogier Grove, which was also the site of Illuminated displays, although these did not seem to go off as well as expected.

Tehannah Me'lon was murdered a mere day after the High Council of Tar Valon granted her clemency and released her from jail. She had been convicted of a crime of passion in 997. With her last words she spoke of regret for serving the Dark master. A dark-garbed man was also found dead near her body, presumably killed by Tehannah in self-defense as he attacked her. Magdar Jessop, who had killed Garen in front of numerous witnesses was extradited to Fal Moran.

The waterfront was the scene of other crimes. Early in the year, a pair of local fishermen dropped an unusual catch onto a blood red circle painted on the pier - five bloated bodies that had floated into their nets. The bodies bore signs of fighting, and it could not be determined when they died or how long they'd been in the water. Several months later, Erim, the owner of the gaming barge, reported two murders. Both victims, one of whom was named Carth, had a circle mark scratched into their backs with daggers. One of the men was killed by Guardsman Dharell, with a sword, during a fracas that broke out on the barge. Dharell has stated the man was a darkfriend. The other was also accused of being a darkfriend by Gamesmaster Sarev.

Later in the year, Evrina and Brilanna Methraine, young girls who are part of the family that runs the House of the Golden Goblet, went missing. The masked Seia'da'Har made an appearance near the inn suggesting that the Black Suns cartel was responsible. Authorities began to suspect that in fact the young girls had run away when a note from a young boy named Dracnor declared his attention to follow after the girls and join in their adventure.

The Black Suns were most surely behind some of the further troubles the Methraines encountered near the end of 998, however. An open house to celebrate the foundation of their merchant House was disrupted by cries of a male channeler in the vicinity and an explosive accident with an illumantion. The evening ended in disquiet when small black disks were discovered on the pillows of all members of the household.

The foreign nobles resident in Tar Valon also had an eventful year. The Dragon's Fang was found scrawled on the door of Manredi Manor, the residence of the Ildevwyn family, early in the year. Igraesor Ildevwyn received news that his wife, the Altaran Lady Vandeira Corsobar, had died, and that his family had made arrangements to marry him to another Ildevwyn, Lady Josaephine. Later in the year, House Ildevwyn mourned the death of Lady Daneile Oviendell, matriarch of her branch of the family. She was killed by brigands while travelling to attend the wedding of Lord Igraesor and Lady Josaephine. Plans for the wedding continued despite this loss. Lord Caeringil Ildevwyn and Lady Carinae Belmond announced their engagement at a dinner party hosted by the Andivells, to whom Carinae is related by marriage.

Near the end of the year, soon after returning from a long trip, Prince Solon and his lover Maggae Felix returned to their current home in Tar Valon. Their stay was of short duration, as Solon's uncle was waiting to escort the wayward Prince back to his homeland. The Prince reluctantly agreed to heed the summons, and his uncle equally reluctantly agreed to allow Maggae to accompany them, but adamantly refused any others to come. Unable to face the tearful partings with their many friends in Tar Valon, Maggae and Solon left letters to say their goodbyes and quietly slipped away.

A new seat was added to the Tar Valon Council in 998. The new Councillor of Dignitaries is intended to be filled by a nobleperson, and will act to advise the High Councillor on the effects of council decisions on the nobility residing in the city.

Citizens of Tar Valon had an excellent view of the star which fell on Maighdal 25 as it passed directly over the city. Some weeks later the River Erinin became clotted with red, acrid-smelling loam which churned it into the deep red shade of blood. All of the water sources in Tar Valon were affected. More alarming than the water's appearance was its effect, and a sickness characterized by fevers and turbulent bowels spread throughout the city. Despite the best efforts of wisdoms and the Yellow Ajah, there were several deaths. The High Council ordered that all citizens should strain water through muslin or linen and then boil before use. The High Council confiscated cloth from the merchants in the city and distributed it to people freely for this purpose.

Near the end of the year, a possible male channeler came to light in Tar Valon. Amrik, the suspected man, took a young lad named Emos hostage. Amrik broke his ankle jumping out of a window to get away from those pursuing him, but managed to get away with Emos before being apprehended. Newly-raised Althea Sedai set off to rescue Emos, who was in her charge while in Tar Valon, accompanied by Proven Brannon and Koveras. Siobhan Sedai organized a party of Reds to go after Amrik, accompanied by several Warders. Althea Sedai was able to recover Emos, but Siobhan's group returned unsuccessful.

No update given

Early in the year 998, an avalanche crashed down on the Tinker River Band, camped in the mountains of Shienar. Farida, once a Sea Folk and now mate to Mahdi Rasad, saved the band from certain death by using her untrained channeling abilities. Members of House Baudler later arrived on the scene to help care for the injured and dig the wagons out from the snow.

A detailed chronology of White Tower events is available.

Amyrlin Deianeira led a processional out of the Tower and through Tar Valon not long after the year 998 began. In Jualdhe, the group was attacked by a Grayman. He aimed his crossbow at the Amyrlin, but his arm was accidentally joggled by Maggae and the bolt instead struck and killed a Warder. Once the Grayman was killed, the group continued on its way through the other villages, and then in the direction of Dragonmount. The group's purpose at Dragonmount is unknown to the world at large, but the trip was notable for the death of Olanthe, Head of the Brown Ajah, who suffered a heart attack.

A fair-sized party of Tower folk travelled with Neri Sedai to Caemlyn a month or two later. While in Caemlyn, Novice Salia has her ability to channel burned out during a Cloud Dancing lesson taught by Rio Sedai, advisor to Queen Aislynn. The trip was most memorable, however, for the manner of its return. Those who had been away were seen appearing out of a black square in the Tower courtyard, stepping off of a platform. Accepted Althea was the last to emerge, and as she did so the platform and doorway disappeared. One of the Aes Sedai with the party removed an odd-looking amulet from around Althea's neck before sending her to recover in the Tower infirmary.

In the final Tower trip of significance that year, Caenna, Rio, Ilyara, Daelen, and Alshaer accompanied Captain Kellian Devail of Andor and Lieutenant Talwyn and his contingent of Queen's Guards to a remote village in the Mountains of Mist. The group travelled there via the ter'angreal found by the Caemlyn group, now known to create a Skimming platform. They went in response to rumours of an attack, rumours which variously named the attackers as bandits, Cairhienin soldiers, and even Shadowspawn. The group and the villagers they have came to save found themselves under attack from hundreds of men dressed in Cairhienin uniforms. After countering the attack, the Tower folk returned.

Kessa Sedai once again was the center of tragedy this year. Early in the year she lost another bondmate, Rhyagel Gaidin. As with Logris the previous year, he had clearly been ambushed and murdered. She had a brief moment of joy in the birth of her son, Shawn Garen, but just a few weeks after that was herself attacked on the road to Fal Moran and later died. The Tower was saddened by another loss in its ranks a few months later when Dallia Sedai died of natural causes.

The shooting star that amazed most of the world on Maighdal 25 was not overlooked by the Tower as it passed over Tar Valon. The scholar Darius made sketches of the events, and recounted that such things are known from records in years past, often associated with large craters where they fall. As the star passed above, those who could channel were afflicted with headaches. Some experienced only mild pain, while others were near incapacitated, like Accepted Althea. The most severely affected with Tezanya Sedai, who collapsed on the Tower Road. She died moments later, after whispering a few cryptic words to the Amyrlin. In weaving to try and help Tezanya, Siobhan revealed herself to be more than the Novice she seemed. She is in fact an Aes Sedai, and has been for many years. After long years of absence from the Tower she masqueraded as a Novice for a full year, to the puzzlement, even outrage, of many Sisters.

Near the end of the year, a possible male channeler came to light in Tar Valon. Amrik, the suspected man, took a young lad named Emos hostage. Amrik broke his ankle jumping out of a window to get away from those pursuing him, but managed to get away with Emos before being apprehended. Newly-raised Althea Sedai set off to rescue Emos, who was in her charge while in Tar Valon, accompanied by Proven Brannon and Koveras. Siobhan Sedai organized a party of Reds to go after Amrik, accompanied by several Warders. Althea Sedai was able to recover Emos, but Siobhan's group returned unsuccessful.