Primitive Population on the Rise? -associated outlying press
According to a recent report put out by the P.O.R.C.C. the sex-crazed savages from the Barren Lands are multiplying at an exponential rate. The latest research shows that despite the massive unfertile environment that this primitive people inhabit, their population is growing at an alarming pace. Cause for concern comes from their more civilized neighbors of the Outlying Regions. Councils from both Slorance and Virotia are aware of the situation, but declined to release formal statements. One Slor said off the record that they are making arrangements to preserve their way of life, but that they would not turn away anyone if they were ready to drink from the ancient spring.
Scientists point to an evolutional change that is keeping more and more Barren Lands primitives alive. They are adapting and are requiring less food to survive. Currently Scientists are trying to conduct a study of these primitives, but the subject pool has been expectedly uncooperative. As one can imagine, it is extremely difficult to conduct some of the necessary research in the desolate desert region. A few Virotian Scientists attempted to bring back some of these primitives, but were unsuccessful mostly due to the language barrier.
Critics of this report claim that this is just another scare tactic put out by the P.O.R.C.C. to drum up support from the outlying regions to formally join the The Palus Region. After all this is not the first time such a report has come out. One such critic, who preferred not to be named said, “It seems as though every couple of years, the P.O.R.C.C. tries to scare us into joining [The Palus Region]. We don’t need them, we are just fine on our own.” All interested parties will no doubt keep an eye on the situation regardless.
the 16th day of the cycle of the worm -Ne'krallu the wise
We are growing, this is true, our people have survived many hardships and it amazes me still that we bear such a burden with so little effort. Of course the burden of which I speak is this environment we live in. The worms, they eat us daily, as we eat baretu beetles. What would happen to us if the worms were to grow in population as quickly as we have? These are things we must consider. They have sent men to inquire on the subject, but from what I can tell they grossly overstate our plight. This is not a problem for them, this is a problem for us. What is to become of us if we do not have enough food to survive? We cannot simply leave the Barren Lands, this is our home and we know no other way, but are we to starve? Am I, as a leader, responsible for this impending famine? I know every great leader of the people of this land has dealt with tumolt during their reign, but I feel mine has longer lasting consequences. I cannot ask for help from the outside people, they have only their own interests in mind, and none of ours. Perhaps we will have to rise against the worms, and use them as food, but this is against our way of life, and it would only cause more problems with the population surge. There are options that we as leaders have always kept in the back of our minds, away from the people, there may come a time however, when we have no other choice but to resort to them. I am saddened deeply by this possibility, and I know it will only demonize us further in the eyes of the outsiders, but they know nothing of us and nothing of what we go through. To them we are beetles to be prodded, examined, and kept under control, I wish only for their understanding, for the sake of my people.
Please project our waters -Concerned Virotian
I have been a citizen of Virotia for 25 years, that is, my entire life. It is a beautiful island, with a near perfect climate, and the most serene & lush countryside I have ever seen. The people are friendly and kind, and we seem to live peacefully together. This being said, I have begun to notice an unsettling trend. It seems that each new spring brings more and more tourists to our quaint existence. They come for the scenery, the calming atmosphere, the beautiful people, but most of all, our water.
You may have heard about our mystical green waters, as mere urban legends, gossip on the playground, or even just a silly story told after a few drinks. Those stories, however, are true. A few sips of the water may seep into your head; inadvertently, you’ll start smiling, maybe humming a little, and you’ll get a warm euphoric feeling tingle all over your skin. Maybe you can’t stop yourself, or maybe you just don’t want to, but sooner or later you will refill your cup and sip a little more of our water. Your head will start to spin, or rather, dance inside itself. Life itself becomes a sweet melody inside your head and you cannot help but love the world. Colors become more saturated, every shape is suddenly more complex, and everything around you is understood. Then you start to notice each and every blade of grass against your skin. I did. They itched against my skin, but so soothing while doing so. Drinking our water has been the most sensual & life changing experience of my life.
Tourists from wide an far have also heard these tales. They come to our land and abuse our resources. Foreigners will drink and become greedy and lustful. They do not revere our springs, and therefore, cannot enjoy the waters for what they are. To the impure of heart, the waters will act as a toxin, poisoning the drinker’s intentions rather than his body. They will become overburdened with jealousy & a maniacal greed comparable to the great tyrants of the world.
Each and every spring I see this happen. In recent years, however, this is becoming more and more clear. We, as a people, must either project our waters, or teach our visitors how to appreciate our waters, or else our island is heading for inescapable destruction.