With the pacification of Orthus by house Vern, house Orthand threw its support behind Duchess Veris. The duchies of Rebaat and Narse (including their powerful dragons) have aligned behind Duke Melfir following his capture of Thalas and the general long term support provided by House Narses. The two dukes have simultaneously invaded the Duchy of Pal'parntha. Both seek to either knock the duchy out of play, or recruit it to their side. Though the main body of forces won't arrive for weeks, advanced units have already begun to occupy strategic positions, resulting in a three-way fracas between troops loyal to Duchess Parnth, and the two invading armies.
Many believe the future of Upper Thalia will be decided in the forested woods of the Lower Thalian frontier.
With the refugee crisis quieting, many Alestians are looking at the fractured state of Upper Thalia and wondering if now might not be the time strike Dimmersdel, as the expansion-orientied Duke Melfir has long claimed ancestral rights to some Alestian lands. Rumors flood the streets of what his goals maybe should he end up on top.