As the raids continued upon Antioch, many citizens began to see in their
mind's eyes the vision of a black-clad figure, calling himself Lhortae,
the Lich Lord. He would taunt and mock the city and surrounding townes
as their citizens fell to his dire army. Even more horrifically, upon
the deaths of an Arkaskarr priest and the chief of El'Jazira, Lhortae
possessed their bodies to add further mockery and indignity to the
tribulations of the populace, sapping the morale of some, while adding a
further sense of defiance to others.

Meanwhile, the skeletal diggers in the southern desert continued their
progress, unearthing new tracts of desert, complete with old remnants of
tattered weapons and fragments of bone. Indeed, though those of Antioch
and their allies attempted to stop the progress of the diggers, the foul
beings would later return unchecked to slave away relentlessly at their
unknown task.

Despite all of the catastrophic occurances of the prior months, a
glimmer of hope presented itself in the form of a splendid defense by
the towne of Tylaran, who managed to fend off a large group of skeletal
attackers before they were able to enter the towne proper. Bearing only
one casualty, the Tylaran forces fought bravely and relentlessly to
purge the dark taint of the raiders from their possessed mortality. Some
of those who helped to curb this particular sortie spoke of seeing a
vision of Lhortae, suddenly devoid of laughter.

Despite this, many mysteries are yet to be resolved. Is there a purpose
to the raids beyond that of simple revenge of a once-mocked man? What
lies in the southern desert beneath the administrations of the diggers?
What is the significance of the pyramidal stone near Anhir? Is there a
relationship between the all-too-mortal battles of Kinsarmar and Stavenn
against Antioch with Lhortae's apparent designs?

As always, only time and effort will bring such things to light.

Penned by my hand on the 8th of Artificium, in the year 486 AD.