"We judge these people to be probably seven to nine feet tall," One explorer reported. "They look like humans, but they're not." Two other explorers from other groups corroborated his story.

The Grand Duke's Chief of Exploration, Ciar Bannli, reported that the sightings were made several miles down river from the last known human town in the area, a mining town which was emptied several months ago. The area is mainly plains and flatlands with only minor hills and valleys, perfect for future farming.

"If these people are friendly," Bannli said yesterday, "perhaps we can begin a dialogue with them, perhaps even purchase a segment of their land. If they are not..." Bannli left the result up to his listeners' imagination.

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Explorers reported having watched the tall people from hiding places where they apparently remained unseen. The Grand Duke has begun to assemble a contact party to find out whether or not these tall people are actually friendly or whether they present a threat to the city of Amalthion.

This is the second intelligent species encountered on Neriss by humans, the first being catalain. It is the hope of the city's administration that a dialogue can be established before this new race turns hostile to the city.

Lord Halcor attempted to assuage fears that this new weapon might be powerful enough to destroy cities this morning. "The new weapon we are currently developing," he said, "is a moderately powerful device which approximates a crossbow, but is more damaging and requires much smaller ammunition."

Opponents of the new weapon argue that a device more powerful than a crossbow might end the world. "If this device is easy enough for people to use without training," one man suggested, "we could easily see a peasant uprising in the future." Another opponent of more advanced weapons suggested that the new device might be powerful enough to destroy entire cities. "If these weapons are small enough to be carried by one man, the world might be seeing its end within the next year." He said.

The Grand Duke has ordered research on new forms of weaponry now that magic devices and ammunition are no longer being used extensively by the city's administration. Since weaponry enhanced by magic could prove an advantage against the current administration, new forms of weapons are being designed.

Daeus Kayne, the inventor of the Lodestone Spindle is thought to be behind several new inventions regarding this new weapon, though the man could not be reached for comment. It is not known at this time what the true nature of the new weaponry is to be.