Dwilight Daily/2016/October

In Surprising Twist, Mariah Greyson Declared Innocent!	October 14, 2016
In a surprising turn of events today, the nobility of Swordfell acquitted Mariah Greyson of her crimes by a vote of 8 to 6 with 7 abstentions. The decision is meant to be the deciding factor in the long, turbulent debate surrounding her introduction of Ut Trutina to Swordfell. Legal questions were quickly brought forward by Duke Crixus Domitius, who questioned the validity of a vote with a third of the realm abstaining and a significant minority incapacitated due to injury. He also brought up the question of Ut Trutina temples, claiming that this decision has no relevance to the construction or destruction of buildings. Furthermore, he banned Mariah from being in his duchy, on pain of arrest. Mariah has not offered a response to these declarations. The Chancellor (judge), Adrianna Drago, has also not responded to Duke Crixus request for another vote, but it is unlikely that she will accede to his request. Immediately after the vote, discussion began in the Fellish Assembly as to a potential change in the realm laws regarding religion. Discussion between the Lord Imperator, the Chancellor, and Mariah Greyson has resulted in some major headway towards a revised set of laws. The new laws would protect existing religious buildings and followers, while allowing new religions to exist without punishment. A series of checks and balances have been proposed regarding the closing of an established temple, preventing the quick destruction of temples if there were a regime change. Sangio Astroists will certainly not appreciate the change in their privileged position in Swordfell, but it should not prevent their already well established Fellish following from flourishing under the future laws. More on this story as it develops.
Comment on this story.	by Garimberto Mercator, Editor-in-Chief

Grand Duke Gary Ketchum Talks Expansion, Conflict in Exclusive Interview	October 14, 2016
The Morek Empire has a long history on Dwilight. From its rise and fall in the north, it has long held a special place in the hearts and minds of the people there. Now, however, they have been reduced to a few small regions squashed between the two military giants of Arnor and Astrum. Their recent arguments with Avernus nearly resulted in an all-out war where their survival was anything but certain. Now that the dust has settled, I took the chance to catch up with the leader of the Morek Empire, Grand Duke Gary Ketchum, and discuss the state of his historic realm. Garimberto "How are the internal affairs of Morek right now?" GD Gary Ketchum "After our ally Arnor helped us takeover Aegir City and transferred it back to us, we have been working hard to restore our lands. Avernus has transferred Nidhogg's Mark to us too in good faith. As your readers may be aware, our capital Aegir City became rogue during my predecessor's time. I am proud to say that Aegir City has been restored to good condition. I have reorganized the councils to ensure our realm's noble voices can be heard. We are still looking for a Region Lord for Nidhogg's Mark. Our young knight, Sir Auric, still does not have the required Honor to assume the lordship. I am sorry to disappoint him on this matter." Garimberto "How goes your plans of reconquest and expansion?" GD Gary Ketchum "We are taking over Ymer's Fall and the takeover will be completed tomorrow. We have claims to a few northern regions, so we are starting with Ymer's Fall for now. We are going to get back our former lands, Muspel and Muspelheim from Avernus, one in Summer and another in Winter. Garimberto "Do you anticipate any conflict with your neighbors over your proposed expansion?" GD Gary Ketchum "There could be some conflicts due to claims in the north. As some of you may be aware, Avernus has relocated its capital to Storms Keep, which is located in the north. As they expand in the north, they are likely to near our claims on the northern regions." Garimberto "Are there any external conflicts between Morek and other realms that the rest of Dwilight might not know about?" GD Gary Ketchum "We have claim on Taishan. It was a gift from our ally Arnor to my predecessors, which was lost due to Daimon attacks. We are currently discussing with Helyg Derywddon's Ruler as to whether we can get the region back peacefully. In my humble opinion, it is better we resolve such claims in a peaceful manner by sitting down and discussing it." Garimberto "Are there any realms you would like to improve relations with? Distance yourself from?" GD Gary Ketchum "D'Hara, Westgard, Arnor and Astrum have been nice to Morek, they lend us some help in different forms, for which I am grateful. So far no realm leaves an impression on us [where we would want] to distance ourselves from [them]. It could change in future."
Comment on this story.	by Garimberto Mercator, Editor-in-Chief

Mariah Greyson Goes to Trial	October 7, 2016
After multiple days of debate, the trial of Mariah Greyson is finally underway in Swordfell. Much controversy has surrounded the priestess of Ut Trutina, Dwilight's newest religion, since she forcibly removed many followers of Sanguis Astroism from their church. Many claimed her to be mad, a claim for which she later agreed and apologized. According to her testimony, she snapped under the weight of political stress and domestic turmoil. Because of the ouster of Sanguis Astroism faithful, realms all across Dwilight called for her arrest and execution. Fortunately for Mariah, she has been able to find temporary sanctuary in Swordfell until she is tried by her peers. According to Fellish Law, a noble must be accused of the same crime by 3 of his or her peers before a trial may commence. The trial is led by the Chancellor (judge) who weighs the evidence and arbitrates between sides. Ultimately, the conviction will come from the defendants peers via a realm-wide vote on his or her guilt. There have been multiple legal arguments surrounding the trial itself, as influential members of Swordfell claim that the Chancellor can make a verdict without trial in some cases. Duke Crixus Domitius, Mariah's chief political opponent claims a "Temple is not a Noble... so the Article on Civil Court does not apply to it (sic)", claiming that the Chancellor of Swordfell could close Mariah's temples without need for a trial. In response, the Chancellor, Viscountess Adrianna Drago retorted "There’s no other phrase, no other kind of court, no other kind of 'legal process' not even an 'unless', nothing". The court quickly reached the required number of accusations, and the Chancellor has promised a quick, but fair, trial by the usual process. The future verdict is tough to determine, as many in the realm are sympathetic to the new religion and Mariah's plight. Her opponents are certainly preparing their arguments, but it remains to be seen how the jury will vote. Continue to check the Dwilight Daily for more news on this developing story.
Comment on this story.	by Garimberto Mercator, Editor-in-Chief

Avernus Finds a New Home, Has its Ups & Downs	October 6, 2016
The realm of Avernus finally made progress in their relocation further north on Thursday, as the conquest of Storms End came to fruition. The harsh cold of the north and the constant monster hordes were no match for Avernian resolve to take the ancient city. I was able to catch up with King Dekon Coldwater about the move, who told me "I love the cold and the sea" but noted "It is not wealthy, by any means". It is certainly a shift from their fairer, and richer, home of Muspelheim, but due to political concerns and a potential 3-vs-1 war, Muspelheim has been promised to the anachronistic Morek Empire. Thanks to the diplomatic skill of King Dekon, he was able to save his realm from utter destruction and work out a deal whereby his people may survive to fight another day. The one good thing about the move? According to King Dekon, it's the ale. Talk has always surrounded that nectar of the gods, and it seems King Dekon has been caught up in that love as well. I also asked him about rumors that claim he built multiple statues in Storms End in his own honor. The fervently dismissed the claims, saying "My large black and red banner flies high over The Keep, but no statues have been erected. Vanity isn't one of my weaknesses" yet talk still circulates in certain corners of the continent that the statues do, in fact, exist.
Comment on this story.	by Garimberto Mercator, Editor-in-Chief

Aarn Hemmings Mysteriously Disappears	October 6, 2016
Talk is cheap in the north, but events have finally come to light regarding the mysterious disappearance of Lord Archon Aarn Hemmings of Westgard. What began as a discourse on his new religion, "The Virtues", turned into a verbal brawl 3 days ago as Astroist realms began to question Hemmings on his new faith. Westgard's ruler quickly put their unease to rest however, as Raven King Helm Altenahr exclaimed loudly "Thank you for the information. I understand it much better now". In a shocking twist of events, Lord Archon Hemmings revealed that he had been attacked via witchcraft and accused followers of Sanguis Astroism, more specifically Astrum, of trying to assassinate him. In a brief declaration, Lord Archon Hemmings put forth that "[n]o noble or Commoner of Astrum may enter Westgard, on fear of Arrest". Evidentally upset by the proclamation, the Vasilif of Astrum derided Lord Archon Hemmings, claiming "I know for a fact that you spent more time at the academy then helping the rest of your realm mates get everything in order". Events then spiraled out of control, and concerns over a potential holy war against Westgard were voiced. The Raven King of Arnor has since denied these claims, though others are still skeptical. Then, without warning, Lord Archon Hemmings disappeared. The Banker of Westgard, Lady Rosalind Foxglove, informed the rulers of Hemmings' mysterious disappearance 2 days ago. His entire palace was empty, and his personal belongings are still missing. After a thorough inquiry, it was determined that he had slipped by the guards unnoticed and made his was to the mountains on a sojourn into the wild. Some claim he was driven by madness, other have reported that he desired to find Truth. Diplomacy in the north has quieted substantially after his disappearance, but whether the dispute over lands in the West has been settled remains to be seen.
Comment on this story.	by Garimberto Mercator, Editor-in-Chief

Dwilight Daily Reopens it Doors	October 6, 2016
In an announcement to the rulers of Dwilight today, Lord Imperator Garimberto Mercator of Swordfell informed the rulers that he would be reopening the Dwilight Daily (DD). He announced that the revitalized paper would host "interesting stories about the times and trials of our continent, the dark forces that inhabit it, and the lighter stuff that reminds us why we live here" but gave no reference to the truthfulness of the new publication. This announcement was followed by general quiet and more-or-less apathy from other rulers, with the exception of one well-wisher. Early reports indicate that crickets could be heard in the background after the announcement. Reports coming from Swordfell show that the Lord Imperator was very upset by this turn of events and he supposedly cried a little bit. These reports have not been verified, and the editorial board is still investigating the allegations.
Comment on this story.	by Garimberto Mercator, Editor-in-Chief