Eldeen Wolves Seize Expedition; Aundair Refuses Talks

WYR, AUNDAIR — Dozens of archeologists, porters, and laborers from the University of Wynarn have been captured by the Eldeen Wolves, a guerrilla group operating in western Aundair and the eastern Eldeen Reaches.

A missive delivered to Aundair’s Otharaunt Fortress demanded that Aundair pull out of the Wynarn River Valley in exchange for the safe return of the expedition. (Since the Eldeen Reaches attained independence, the western banks of the Wynarn River have traditionally been considered the region’s border.) A palace official connected to Queen Aurala’s diplomatic corps dismissed the missive as “a ranting screed from radicals whose time has passed” and said the crown will never negotiate with kidnappers and guerrillas.

Sentinel Marshals from House Deneith and agents of the Royal Eyes of Aundair are searching for the missing expedition. However, neither House Deneith nor the Aundair crown would provide details of the search, citing the safety of agents in the field as the reason for this secrecy.

The Eldeen Wolves have stepped up their kidnapping, sabotage, and murder operations along Aundair’s western border during the past year. Led by a charismatic, mysterious figure known only as Rhunadask, the group operates from bases deep within the wilderness of the Eldeen Reaches and clashes frequently with the Aundairian army.

Despite the most recent kidnappings, residents of western Aundair remain resolute in their opposition to Rhunadask and the Eldeen Wolves. “Pulling out of the valley completely would result in the loss of many prosperous farms and vineyards,” said Lord Hauron ir’Trellek, whose family manor sits on the eastern bank of the Wynarn. “But a fundamental principle is at stake here: That land is Aundair soil, and I’ve already given five sons to make sure that it stays Aundair soil.”