Just in case you haven’t heard…

Hello Thunderheads!

Summer here has ended.  The Thunders are back in session now and, trust me when I say, the excitement over this year’s new crop of cadets couldn’t be any higher.

Word from the Bitterberg is that they’ll have over five hundred First-years for the first time.  Seems their Plebe Summer was very fruitful!  Imagine – five hundred new wide-eyed cadets learning what it means to be a bearer of the Seventh Thunder’s Wielder.  Can someone say Luminot’s lighting up the sky!

And how about the Hammerfeld?  News from Tyre is that the First Thunder has uncovered new uses for its Woe hammer – as if controlling the elements wasn’t a big enough marvel for their Wielder.  I can’t wait to see the details.  Maybe they’ll allow us a sneak peak, wouldn’t that be something!

In the Vale, the Bishops prepare for another year of Tacticon war games.  And rumor has it that First-years may be allowed to field their own team!  It’ll be tough going though, everything I hear is that the Sixth Thunder’s Wielder is amongst the hardest to control.

And while on the subject of hard, my sources at the Quiverhold assure me that this year’s badge requirements will be stiffened for First-years.  All incoming cadets will now be forced to complete three perfect passes of the Bowmen’s Course in order to qualify for one of the four Sagitarii medals.  No small task for those trying to climb to the top of the Plebe class as marksmen of the Second Thunder’s Wielder.

The Flicker Rims, not to be outdone, has just broken ground on a brand new, state-of-the-art Thangor Breath facility, which, according to their latest promotional brochures, should be ready for next year’s intake, and promises recruits such perks as full-service spa treatments, with special accesses being made available to the Fifth Thunder’s run of thermal springs.  There’s even talk of offering live tours inside the dragon stables for all friends and family during the events of Induction Day!  Talk about up close and personal with one of nature’s most feared creatures.

Up in the canopy of the Umbrian rainforest, the Third Thunder’s Aguila Nest is supposedly using First-years to harvest fresh Ceiba bark for the making of this year’s batch of Woodwive’s Balm.  And what an experience that is, let me tell you.  Two hundred feet in the air suspended on nothing but zip-lines?  Just make sure your Tommy or Tammy is taking their ginger root, that’s all I got to say!

But by far this year’s hubbub has to be what’s happening at Glimmeroc!  The Kid With Two Letters – well, it’s all anyone’s talking about.  Never in the history of histories has an applicant received more than one Thunder acceptance letter in the mail.  Goes to show nothing’s sacred anymore, huh?  And on top of that – and I have the eyewitnesses willing to swear to it – apparently his Aeriatis has the wings of a griffon!  A gifted Wielder and Two letters? – I wanna meet this kid, don’t you?  Sounds like a road trip to me, Thunderheads.  Fourth Thunder or Bust!  I’ll bring the guacamole, you bring the chips!

Inkling #15: 

What is The Seven Thunders?  It is a new year and a new class.  It is six thousand four hundred and eighty, split up seven ways.  It is the panic of getting to Wielder training and the euphoria of just being able to have the chance.  It is Plebes on parade!