Doma Castle - It is the first day since Emporer Ghestal has decided to relinquish his control of Doma Castle and made it a free territory once again. Upon entering the outside perimeter walls there is a pungent smell that surrounds the city, the smell of death. The once bustling castle looms wearily, towering over the surrounding city; there is no sound here besides the sounds of running water and the wind blowing. Animals can not even be seen running through out the desolate city; even the birds seem to be avoiding this place. Even the river seems to be a strange shade of blue.

Exploration crews have set up camp to find out what truly happened to this once great kingdom. Advances through the city are slow as the crews search house after house looking for some kind of evidence of what could have happened.

As the hours ticked by the crews feel an awkward presence, they have reported hearing voices when no one was around, cold spots appear and then vanish, even objects seem to move from place to place. The word has already spread that this place could be haunted.

A few crew members have returned from their exploration of the graveyard, as expected it is filled. Shallow graves have been dug for the victims of the empires attacks, many are unmarked and the deceased that lie in them will all but be forgotten. Outside the graveyard there is a pile of torched remains. An AWOL Empire Soldier was questioned as to why the dead where burned instead of buried, his response was “there was just not enough room in the cemetery for them, there is many more places like this through out Doma some have yet to be burned.”

When he was questioned about what had happened to Doma and its citizens he was quick to respond “I am not sure, I was stationed in Tzen when the Empire took control of the city and was stationed here afterwards.” The soldier was quickly gathering up his belongings as he was being interviewed and ran for the door saying “there is something not right here! You all must get out as soon as you can!” He was escorted out of the city by a Returner’s Researcher.

Other then the city walls the town itself looks as if nothing had ever happened to it, the siege of war shows no presence. All of the houses and shops are in good order; the city streets are free of rubble and debris. The real question on every ones mind is “how did the Empire take such a great kingdom with out ever having to enter the city?”

As for the current state of Doma, all have their speculations but no physical evidence can be found, exploration efforts are suppose to wrap up at the end of day three. The first day has consisted of the search of the city, while second and third days will be set aside for the castle exploration and a search of the surround city. Hopefully in this short time the secrets of the events that happened will unfold.

Sir Edmund Ganahd, on-site field reporter for the “Narshe Times”