Vol XXIII: — Of Whispers, Winds, and Watching Eyes
Dated: 17 December 2025
Greetings, Dear Listeners,
The winds carry more than pollen this season. They bring whispers—half-truths muttered in taverns, secrets traded in private channels, and rumors sharpened into weapons long before they ever reach the light of day. The realm hums with anticipation, nerves stretched thin as alliances smile politely while counting one another’s cities. As ever, what is said matters far less than who is listening… and who is already preparing to act.
Eagles in the Spring, Talons in the Dark
The Spring tournament has been announced, and the prizes will be Giant Eagles!
[https://forum.illyriad.co.uk/11dec25-jubileeyear-spring-eagles-tournament_topic11244.html]
How exciting! I cannot wait to watch the drama that unfolds this time. It will be interesting to see how many partnerships are formed before it starts, and how many still remain after it’s over. High-stakes prizes do have a way of making tempers flare and loyalties… flexible.
When Demons Queue Behind Eagles
To play off of the tournament, Sheogorath—known to many as the Mad God—did send a whisper for last week’s Quilly regarding the Demon Invasion Tournament. Not the best timing, one would think, to have a player-run tournament so close on the heels of an official one—though, technically, the official announcement came after.
Multiple players have stated they intend to participate in both events, but Sheogorath himself was noted as saying:
“[19:09] <Sheogorath> It will still happen, demons will still invade, and heroes must save the land. I’ll just have to wring out cups of blood from the fallen soldiers’ cloth rather than scoop it from puddles…”
A poetic image, to be sure—if one enjoys their heroism well-soaked in irony.
Audrey Watches, and the Moon Keeps Her Secrets
In Audrey news: still no confirmed second visit from the old crone, but Audrey remains very much awake. There have been no new forum comments on the Audrey thread. However, global chat has been abuzz with speculation that something may happen on the new moon.
Several players have vented their frustration at the lack of progress in the quest, given the immense number of troops sacrificed in attempts to sate her appetite. Adding fuel to the fire, GM Jejune stated in Discord:
“Maybe Audrey needs a legendary city sacrificed for everyone to win. Who will sacrifice their legendary city?”
and
“It might even be more sophisticated than that. Maybe Audrey will only accept a legendary city sacrificed from a 60-city account.”
Whether this was genuine insight or merely a masterful stirring of the metaphorical pot remains, as always, unclear.
Of Trivia Crowns and Brittle Tempers
It did not go unnoticed how… spirited a certain trivia winner became after my previous article. No shade was intentionally cast, dear Eowan—this humble reporter merely relayed what had been whispered. That said, it would be remiss not to report what followed.
In Discord, the aforementioned Eowan responded:
“If people have a problem with me winning at trivia, I encourage them to get better at it. I have improved over the years. I welcome the competition.”
and later:
“It’s neither my nor Fenring’s fault that everyone else types like they’re arthritic grannies wearing mittens. Don’t see how its favouritism.”
Touchy, touchy indeed. One might argue that openly insulting the citizens of Illyria who took part in Tuesday trivia is not the most effective way to win hearts—regardless of how fast one types.
The Quilly Remains Open
As ever, this reporter remains open to whispers, screenshots, and stories that beg to be told. If something stirs in the shadows, slips through the cracks, or is simply too interesting to keep quiet—send word.
Stay whispered, my friends.
— The Quill ✒️
The Quilly 