Gavin, Abbot of Revesby and Scion of the Line of Charlemagne has been elected, by the gathered heads of states of what remains of the Holy Roman Empire, to the position of King of the Romans. In time it is expected that he will travel to visit the Pope to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor. Now the whole empire looks to him to guard against the oncoming invasion by the Mongols, which has crushed resistance in the East and continues to press onwards towards Aachen.

It is widely believed the Once and Future King has once again been reawakened in England's time of need, with the mysterious darkness consuming most of Tia N'Aill and growing ever closer to our world.

Arthur has yet to state his intentions towards the country, his current subjects, the current queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, or the two claimants on his heart, Saint Guinevere, called the Lady of the Shadows, and the Demiurge Merlyn.

An attack of the Holy Roman Empire over sea by the armies of Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub have been repelled by the Sicilian Navy, reports claim. The navy was seen to bring former Sicilan Ambassador Salvatore di Napoli out of retirement to join Ludovic of Langley. While the navy is no longer considered a threat by the Empire, rumours have started to circulate about Ayyubid soldiers stationed in Constantinople. The official word from the city rejects this, however.

It appears with the removal of Anna from our world that the Pact signed in her name has lost its power and Dii Casses is no longer free to compel the gods to work under it.

A new Pact between gods, saints and humans is being drawn up.

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum:
HABEMUS PAPAM!
Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum,
Dominum Thomam Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Pontis Aelii,
Qui sibi nomen imposuit Petrum II

The Papal household was seen at the Petrine palace, with the cardinals in a dazed state.

The forces of Mongol warlord Genghis Khan reached the old eastern border of the Holy Roman Empire a few months ago. The warlord has apparently joined forces with a group of fae from a place called Ysbathaden, one of the Kingdoms of Tir N’Aill. The already fearsome horsemen of the Mongol army are now supported by giant walking fortresses made of living flesh.

The Eastern States banded together shortly before the assault and mounted a heroic defense - but it was not enough. The forces of Genghis Khan crushed them and continued their march into what remains of the Holy Roman Empire.

It is widely believed that the last acts of the now deceased Allie the Upshot were to go on a senseless rampage, burning down the houses of innocent people in the belief that they know the location of the fabled Holy Grail, the most sacred of Christian artefacts.

Among the homes known to have been lost was the glorious Ravensworth Manor, home of the new head of the Collegium, Stanley, called the Abiding.

Others known to be currently homeless as a result of Allie's senseless cruelty are Valentina Envoy, the Guild Steward, Osmund, Lord Shipwright, Rhydian Coedwig, the suspected Inquisitor, Forwin Griff, the Mason, and someone called Elizabeth.

It appears that Allie has been killed by a posse of concerned subjects who felt her activities were getting a bit of hand. For a list of current suspects, please see the list of homeless people above.

In utterly mysterious circumstances involving the death of the goddess Esus, Lady Shipwright, Osmund has ascended to take her place. Rumours abound that Esus willingly sacrificed herself to take the form known previously as Queen Anna to the lands of the dead and that Osmund had no choice.

Followers of Artio and Wilfrida have made it clear that Osmund was not given a choice as regards his fate, and that the decision to ascend him to godhood was taken by Esus.

The following gods are now presumed dead:

• Esus, Lady Shipwright, circumstances unknown
• Taranis, the Storm, consumed recently by Dii Casses
• Borvo, some while ago
• Cernunnos, killed roughly six months ago
• Agrona, killed by humans
• The Alaisiagae, Twin Gods of Victory and Death in Battle, consumed recently by Dii Casses
• Ankou, the Guardian of Death and Dreams, presumed to have taken the fight to the darkness and lost.

Those who remain to protect us are:

• Totatis, Lord Protector
• Robor, the Forest
• Moritasgus, the Healer
• Artio, the Bear
• Ritona, the Path
• Nantosuelta, the Light
• Tiw, Justice,
• Wilfrida, the Wolf
• Osmund, Lord Shipwright
• and Dii Casses, the Goddess of Refuse and the Downtrodden.

It is suggested that Dii Casses comes next for Totatis, whose death means the demise of the pantheon and the scattering of the gods.

The following saints are believed still active:

• St Arnold
• St Bernard
• St Boniface
• St Edith
• St Frideswide
• St George
• St James the Greater
• St Hild
• The Lady of the Shadows
• The Quattro Coronati
• St Thomas a Becket
• St William

It is thought that Dii Casses comes next for St Bernard, St George, St Hild and the Lady of the Shadows.

A fantastic tale is doing the rounds. It begins as a standard tale: Dragon appears. St George turns up. Dragon and Saint fight.

Then it starts to get wierd. Saint Edith turns up. At first the peasants are thankful for the extra assistance. But then things get weird. Saint Edith starts attacking St George. Her blows seem far more powerful than those of Saint George, her abilities more varied. She seems to wield the power of fire, the swordsmanship of St Boniface, the durability of Totatis, the power of Dii Casses, the darkness of the Lady of the Shadows.

The fight was interrupted by Queen Samuel and Lahav BenIdan, who apparently persuaded the three to part ways. Before she left though, Edith gave a warning: she would soon be back for St George.

Just what is going on?

It is widely believed that the Fae who dwell just beyond the portal, the Seol Eile, have agreed to provide support to humanity in our fight against the dark ichor which appears to be consuming their world. Emissaries from that world, named as Blodeuwedd and Pryderi, have agreed to attend the next meeting to discuss what help they can give and what they can expect in return.

Those who wish to know more are advised to speak with Edithe or Rhydian.

The lower classes have risen up against those who oppress them! Led by the heroic Marcus Karlson, a friend to the oppressed everywhere, those who prey on the weak - including Karlson's own wife Faridah - are being overthrown all across Europe! Nobles, clergy and monarchs should fear - you will be next!

A Miss Attewater, claiming to be the mother of King Hector of Sicily, was arrested in Whitby for attempting to steal the relics of St Hild 'as a gift for Dii Casses'.

King Hector has used his diplomatic priviliges to save the woman who claims to be his mother from her promised flogging and hanging, though apparently her time in the pillory has left her weakened and injured, and she is not thought likely to survive the next six months.

It turns out that money can buy happiness. A small shop has opened up in Oxford offering to buy and sell emotions. The service offered by proprietor Elizabeth allows the permanent removal of emotions - you need never feel sadness again! Or if your life just isn’t as interesting as you would like, why don’t you buy some feelings? These single-dose vials of pure emotion will make you feel your chosen emotion more intensely than you ever thought possible!

All transactions are final. No refunds.

• Gavin of Revesby has a birthmark shaped like pure ambition
• Rory Carver has a solution to the homelessness problem
• Aelindis is terrorising the countryside
• If you go down to the river, you'll find a stone that makes you happy