Rolaan's Note

This message, when brought to you, is the last you shall see of mine in some time. There are several things I have discovered. There will come a time and place where we will meet again. You, taking the short road, and me the long. Nonetheless, I remain, and will always remain, the same Rolaan you know.

In my search for truth, I found some startling facts. The first is this: When the time comes to face the last of the four nightmares, I will rejoin you. Before that, however, I fear I may not be prepared. I would try not to taunt you with riddles, but mystery is what we have sewn, and it's fruit weighs me heavily.

On the second, the message. The message of Arathtesia. You have it by now, no doubt. With it, this has sealed my fate. I am taking it with me - it is the only way to ensure the safety of your mission: The Eye of the Storm.

As for the fall of Arathatesia, know this: She fell at the hands of the Eighth Fleet, and it comes for the rest of Barsaive. It should serve as an excellent test of the Eye of the Storm, if anything - remember.  Concentrate and remember this: The stones of the Eighth fleet will try to contain the storm.

Even if you don't recall why, you will be doing the fallen a great justice.

"That built in the storm is the only thing that can bear it." they say. At least, I say it. They might start saying it soon.

I leave my dearest Ardrealla in your keeping - not a given one of you, but in the hands of all of you.

Urupa - The Summer of Dark Clouds, 1508

The Arrival:
The dockmasters are perturbed and try to push you to leave - but don't go so far as mobilizing the cities' Drakkars. Instead, their reluctance is overridden by a note delivered via message stone, and they allow the ship to dock.
They do note that in these trying times they will not be able to protect your ship - the crew would have to do that.

Overview:

• Just two weeks ago, the notable troubadour & mayor of the city of Urupa, Fellindra Jer, disappeared. 
• The Elder High Elect appears to have gone into hiding - and rumors abound
• The visitors have abandoned the city seeking refuge from a "Threat from the East"
• The acting Mayor, Thras Machus, has deployed the military forces to keep peace (police state)
• It's rumored that the Therans have put forward exclusive trade agreements that are "Too good to be ignored"
• The city was recently rocked by a large Earthquake and ensuing aftershocks - powerful enough to cause a massive cave-in to the East
• The looting of the Iron Tower has flooded the town in mysterious bits and pieces that come from the visitors

Fellindra Jer, Mayor of Urupa:
Fellindra's disappearance coincides within a few weeks of the Visitor's abandoning the great Iron Tower - so called for it's windowless exterior, the tower is the dominant feature of the "Visitor's quarter." Her vanishing has caused quite an upheaval, as her position as the Mayor of Urupa (not to be confused with the Elder High Elect, Erreg Cranstooth, the mage who rules the Urupan State) was a position she had held with fervor and zeal for the last 11 years. It was Fellindra herself who, with tremendous burden in her voice, bore the news of the Visitor's intent to withdraw. When she called a meeting with the businessmen of Urupa, her usual statesmanship was set aside, and while accounts vary, she barely was able to whisper the news, though all in the crowd heard the words.

Erreg Cranstooth, The Elder High Elect:
Since her disappearance, Erreg Cranstooth, Wizard / Nethermancer and Elder High Elect has not made any public appearances, but has instead communicated through his trusted spirit, Fadeshaw. Fadeshaw sits in his seat, and he communicates his wishes. Rumors abound, though the most pervasive claims that the Jester of Urupa is returning to reclaim his throne.

Urupan Trade:
With the departure of the Visitors when the departure of a major portion of Urupa's wealth. Investors fled the city within weeks, and even the Throalic Royal Bank brought in an Airship to cover the removal of an unknown (but obviously massive) withdrawal of Gold back to Throal. (At least, that is what people say was going on - the Throalic Bank will neither confirm nor deny it).

The Foreigners:
The state of Urupa now is one of turmoil. With the Visitors packed up and gone, a number of new traders have come forward, some from as far away as Cathay - these traders have established a very nuanced trade route that follows a number of villages along the coastline of the North edge of the Aras sea. These new foreigners have held back their trade until now - they formerly traded exclusively with the Visitors, but as the Visitors have fled, these merchants are looking to make a quick gold before the Threat from the East materializes.

The Therans:
The Therans have taken advantage of the situation, bringing several additional ships within spitting distance of the city, and making some very pronounced offers for trade contracts within Urupa. As the acting mayor, Thras Machus, notes "You can fault the Therans on many things, but not their word - or their Gold. Their pockets are deep and their word is absolute." It is likely that a large trade contract with Triumph will form - though the language will avoid the name. T'skrangs need not fear - the trade will occur mostly by air.

The Earthquakes:
Just days before the last of the visitor's ships sailing, an earthquake struck the city. Several buildings were crushed by debris falling from the massive cliffs. The dead Kaer, Sarmalta's Pocket, collapsed entirely within it’s mountainous enclosure, triggering an enormous cave-in/landslide, that sent a sizable chunk of the Eastern Thunder mountains rolling on into the Aras Sea. The ensuing wave sank several ships, and demolished the docks on the Eastern side of the port.

The Fall of the Iron Tower:
The tall, imposing, windowless tower that dominates the Visitor's quarter is known as the Iron Tower. Only a few respected outsiders were ever allowed within. After the Visitor's abandoned the place, they left the doors open that those left behind could repurpose the place. There were guardsmen there at first, but the overwhelming curiosity drove adventurers and brigands into the quarter to overturn every last stone, bit by bit. The ensuing chaos has only just begun to diminish. Almost every strange poisoning, spell or curse is being attributed to the Remnants of the Iron Tower and the bizarre effects that it's purloined contents must have had on those who are in possession of them.

The Overland Trading Company:
The overland trading company has pulled up roots from Urupa, leaving it's future unknown.
A large note was scribed and placed outside every door of every single one of the Overland Trade Company warehouses throughout Urupa. It read: 
"To all petitioners, borrowers, and tradesmen: The Overland Trading Company has closed it's doors. Consider all your debts in Urupa to be paid - consider it a parting gift from the company. Without the steady trade from the Visitors, the company has lost one of it's most reliable sources of income. With them goes the spirit of the Overland Company, and with that, I fear the very will to remain in Urupa. Wish us luck as we prepare for important business to the North, as we return to our Throalic roots.

---James Garlthik (no relation, obviously)"