Abington Account/August2007

Riverholm Secedes, "Aquitane" Formed

Duke Spiritmonger, after a controversial confrontation with the King, seceded the Duchy of Riverholm, taking Lanston, Rustton and Wynford along with him. The new state was termed "Aquitane" and Spiritmonger proclaimed himself king. Shortly afterward, Abington declared war.

The Ash Sea Islands also declared war on the secessionist state, citing reasons of realm security and a policy against un-authorized secessions.

Although Aquitane seems to have managed peace treaties with some of Abington's most powerful enemies, it is predicted that the duchy will not long remain independent in the face of Abington's armies and determiniation.

Spiritmonger was asked to step down, but refused. Afterward, investigations by the King's Men found that he was participating in a rebel underground, and Arch Priest Magnus issued a ban for Conspiracy. However, Spiritmonger seceded before the ban could go into effect.

Talerium, Carelia Invade. Sullenport Rebels.

While Riverholm remains in secessionist hands, two of Abington's more ruthless enemies have been spotted approaching from the west. It is thought that they will begin a campaign of looting and killing, either to distract Abington from reuniting Riverholm or to simply take advantage of the situation.

Redspan has been proclaimed "officially doomed" since the rebellion of Sullenport, leaving just Stargard and two other regions officially within Redspan's territory. These lands do not seem to have the de facto control of Federated troops, however, and there is much concern that with Abington busy with rebels of their own, Redspan will not be able to survive.

Riverholm Recaptured. Cagilan Empire Invades. War Declared.

With the Cagilan Empire's forces now crossing into Abington, the King took it upon himself to declare war on the Cagilan Empire, making official what has been in the Redspan situation, and in this latest invasion of the home soil, a preexisting unofficial state of conflict.

Riverholm was captured, however, spelling the doom for the secessionist state. Ash Sea Islands forces helped with the pacification of rebel resistance in both Wynford and Abington.

Wayburg Secedes; Suville, Narville Declare Intent to Secede

In a striking blow against the government of Abington, Magnus the Mighty seceded Wayburg, blaming Abington and it's king, leaving Abington without an Arch Priest. Soon after, Callisto of Suville declared her intent to secede as well, and Martok of Narville joined.

Although Riverholm itself was (finally) granted a lord in Athys II (third cousin to Gauihu), he has himself participated in the current protests against the King and declared that his loyalty would not be "bought." Although Riverholm is currently the weakest of Abington's duchies, it is certain that it's new lord will not follow Gauihu's reign, although just who it will follow remains to be seen.

At this time, the only Duchy which has not taken an official position on the King is Stoneville, which, as the capital, cannot in any case secede. Xuanye, currently the only recipient of the Order of Abington, has yet to make an official statement on the matter, although he has argued with the King recently and rumor has it, threatened to quit after the declaration of war on CE.

More on this ongoing story, as it breaks. Clearly, the end of Abington might well be at hand, but protesters are hopeful that a change in monarchs might grant a reprieve. Magnus the Mighty, now King of Caergoth, is not so hopeful, asserting twice that Abington will be destroyed no matter who sits on the throne.

Abington Declares War on Tara, Darka, Caergoth. Gauihu Questions Nobility; Nobles Question Gauihu's Sanity. Rebellion.

In the first few hours after daybreak, Gauihu sent ambassadors officially delcaring war on Tara and Darka, as well as the newly founded Caergoth. He then questioned the nobility of Oadoaker and Ironus, just two of the many nobles currently in protest. After a period of semi-rational argument, Gauihu then seemed to give up all pretenses of reasoning and wrote a lengthy, angry rant directed at the entire realm:

"Wretches! Scum! Traitors! Cowards!

So you're all against me. Just as well. It'll take you miserable lot combined just to oppose my power. Like rats toppling a titan, your only hope is in sheer mass of your filthy little bodies!

And to think, for months I actually worried about your welfare, about satisfying your mewling, childlike wants and needs! Well, no more, that's for certain. You won't even stand together in your own bloody defense! Like Redspaniard goats, you huddle and bleat and expect your betters to look after you... then when the wolves come, you blame the herder and expose your necks to the beasts! Hoping for mercy!

You make me sick, the lot of you! So, bring it on then. Let's see if your whining will get you anywhere. I'll face all Atamara alone if I have to, and in the end ... I will be triumphant.

There is nothing you can do now to stop my triumph... my ultimate victory, which your silly traitorous minds cannot even comprehend. But your grandchildren will, oh yes. If they live...

Ha, ha! Ha, ha ha!"

As rumors begin so spread, all of Abington's remaining nobles get caught in the crossfire, the king as well. Angry and upset, Oadoaker, along with several other nobles, called for a massive rebellion against the government of Abington.

However, several nobles, including High Marshal Xuanye, opposed the rebellion after hearing that a Democratic type of government was planned for. The rebellion has now lost support and many have joined the loyalists, of whom previously only Gauihu himself was a member. Ironically, the "loyalist" forces are very opposed to Gauihu's reign - just not the Monarchy, the Kingdom of Abington itself.

No further word has been heard regarding the secessions of Suville or Narville.

Gauihu, reportedly gone stark raving mad within the old palace in Riverholm, was headed out to visit with his wife and children when he was attacked by Enthar, an infiltrator working for Caergoth. The wound was not serious, but enough to put the king into bed for the next few days.

Loyalists Put Down Rebellion; Rebellion Leader Commits Suicide

Odoaker of House Sciriani, the young noble who became the loudest voice for rebellion, ruined his movement by talking of overthrowing the monarchy and replacing it with a Democracy, and failing to gain the support of Xuanye, the only Duke of Abington still considered loyal to Abington itself (if not the king).

Without such support, nobles flocked to the loyalists cause and the rebellion was soundly defeated. As he promised, Odoaker went down with the rebellion itself, committing suicide when all was lost.

Abington Breaks with Norland, Lowers Relations with Minas Ithil

In the latest drastic diplomatic changes initiated by King Gauihu, Abington broke with her one remaining non-federated ally, Norland, today. Conversation amongst the rulers reveals little about why this happened; Norland's ruler and Gauihu have not had any public discussion or quarrel. It is being considered just another example of Gauihu's madness, as a result.

Grand Poobah, Jr, Elected Arch-Priest. Spiritmonger Executed.

After days without a judge since the departure of Magnus, an election was at last held. Grand Poobah Jr won, with just 4 votes more than King Gauihu himself. Two minutes after donning the scarlet robes of justice, Grand Poobah Jr carried out his first sentencing by executing Spiritmonger, who had been banished for Conspiracy to Commit Treason just over two weeks earlier.

Grand Poobah, son of the great Abington hero felled in combat earlier during the war, announced: "There was the root of the problem that led to many of the problems we have now. I appreciate your vote as judge and I am sorry that my first act was such a barbaric one but I could not risk him buying his way out or escaping and creating even more problems for Abington."

ASI Offers to Support Riverholm Duchy. Gauihu Declares War on Minas Ithil.

The situation in Abington can only be described as "a mess." Starvation is rampant in half the territories, Riverholm faces a peasant revolt a day, and Darkan raiding troops have been at work in Glassinn and Webgard. A moderate force of Cagilan Empire forces remain in Sudfern, and a tiny force of Carelian and Talerium troops were barely defeated in battle in Chasnoff. Caergoth, although still in "anarchy," remains in control of Wayburg and has made peace with each invading realm. Only time will tell what the enemy intends to do.

Meanwhile, from the ancient palace in Riverholm (where apparently Gauihu has refused to leave, despite being at odds with his cousin), Gauihu lowered relations with former ally Norland to "neutral" and declared war on Minas Ithil. His public statement on this read as follows:

"It occurs to me, Dead Angel3, that I should have tortured you when I had you imprisoned in my dungeon. But no, I was too merciful, too honourable, even then! No more! No more will you take advantage of my generosity, my honour, my patience! Now, your realm too pays the price! And don't think we haven't forgotten when you tried to destroy Abington last time, either!"

Still, perhaps Abington is not in such a hopeless position. Although the King is by any measurable standard clearly insane, the illustrious High Marshal and Duke of Stoneville retains the command of the realm's armies and shows no intention of joining secessionists, rebels, or invaders. The Ash Sea Islands, continuing the policy set earlier with regards to secessions and border security, offered to support the Duchy of Riverholm. King Malice spoke on the matter:

" Acknowledging the widespread chaos, civil strife and outright warfare currently paralysing Abington, and the well known intentions of the Duchess of Suville and the Duke of Narville to secede, the Ash Sea Islands hereby lends her protection to the Duchy of Riverholm ... The madness of King Gauihu cannot be denied but we believe the answer is not to run away, as his Dukes intend, but instead to confront the problem head on ... I would ask that the realms currently invading Abington respect this declaration and avoid Riverholm so that we may ensure she does not again swirl down into secession and dishonour. We will not tolerate any further instability upon our borders."

Riverholm has lost an estimated eight thousand peasants due to starvation and war during the past weeks, and this is it's second popular unrest in as many days. Two guards units placed by Athys II were lynched, and with Gauihu in the region as well, Riverholm is considered to be one of the most dangerous places to be in at this time.