Atamaran Advocate/Issue 1
Rogeshore: Liberated through Religion? 10th March |
Yesterday evening, the people of Rogeshore astonishingly liberated themselves from the RedSpan occupation forces in the region. In spite of the threat of violent reprisals, the peasantry stormed the administrative centre of Rogeshore and regained other key buildings within the area; proclaiming themselves free of the influence of Da Way. The armies of RedSpan meanwhile, were seemingly powerless to stop the revolt against their takeover - despite their overwhelming presence in the region. Events are of course, made even more bewildering when we consider that Ashlantean forces have still yet to make a move towards turfing out the occupational forces in Rogeshore and realm control in the region has hit astonishing new lows. The only answer to Rogeshores successful self liberation seems to lay with religious forces.
In the immediate aftermath of the RedSpan declaration of war against the Ash Sea Islands, the Herpetarians (Priests) of Magna Serpænsism and priests of Da Way swiftly made their way towards the area of conflict - Rogeshore. In the following days, all manner of preachings have been seen on both sides of the fence. With all haste the priests of RedSpan have attempted to coerce as many people as possible to Da Way, meanwhile Herpetarians of Magnus have been seen throughout the region making efforts to strengthen the resolve of the inhabitants against the takeover. Of course, the religious representatives of Ash Sea islands and RedSpan weren't entirely unmolested in their work, with assassins from both sides doing their level best to put enemy priests out of action. However, with so many priests in the region and the sheer frequency of preachings it seems that neither side saw their hard work held up too much by assassinations. Regardless, it seems that the actions of the Ashlantean priesthood in supporting their people has paid off great dividends. Should the RedSpan-Ashlantean Conflict continue, it maybe that we soon see both sides entrenched providing RedSpan can defend her own people as successfully. |
by Revan the Younger of Ash Sea Islands  |
What's Happening Elsewhere? 8th March |
While most action is happening in the north, out here in Talerium.... there's not much actually happening. The biggest thing is the utter dominance of The Word religion-wise. Turning to religion, it is interesting to see how other religions view each other. Already, Da Way and Magna Serpaensism are at odds while the Hörgr and The Way of the Hammer are in an all out war with Athonlaurism. Meanwhile The Order is spreading influence across Cagilan Empire and Tara. Darkanism and The Word are solidifying as the ways of life in Darka and Talerium respectively. But that brings another question, there are THREE religions that have taken a low road. Evgenism in Carelia and The Pantheist Path with Aristoi Atamarism in Abington. What exactly are their creeds? What do they believe in? The Panthiest Path isn't really that mysterious, you can glean some information from their archival records but Evgenism and Aristoi Atamarism... remain enigmatic. How will Abington work with Queen Armitage following the Panthiest Path (she is a Templar after all, but I may be wrong) and a small number of nobles following Aristoi Atamarism? As the successor to the Kargnchha (The Word's highest leader) I do take an interest in watching other religions. How will this play out? Sure, the war in the north is important, but something is brewing underneath Atamara's skin, in the hearts of the peasants. |
by Torsaan the Great of Talerium  |
War In the North 7th March |
For some weeks now war has engulfed the regions around the York river in the north. A war begun for many reasons, and a war currently at a stalemate. While Norland has successfully defended their regions on all fronts for the war, yet once or twice (especially early on) pushed into Ithillian lands, the war remains totally deadlocked. It seems that everyday there are new armies ready to aid Minas Ithil, whether from the Cagilan Empire or the Ash Sea Islands, they constantly have allies at their side. Yet we northerners, too, have allies. The Barony of Makar has raided many Ithillian lands, and aided in several battles as well. Unfortunately, the Barony's army is insignificant next to the Cagilan Empire or Ash Sea Islands. Many Vikings have wondered why Minas Ithil must call aid when her income is roughly equivalent to the combined incomes of Norland and the Barony of Makar. Mixed up in all of this is the ever-present issue of religion. In fact, there are a remarkable number of parallels between the Viking vs. Minas Ithil war and the RedSpan vs. Ash Sea Island war. In both, regions were taken by the defending nation, then handed back, arguably begrudgingly. In both, the attacked nation is undeniably the stronger. In both, there is an accompanying religious conflict. The Way of the Hammer and Athonlaurism seem to be at war just as much as Norland and Minas Ithil in this conflict, as is apparent by the comments of both prominent Norlanders, who view the war as a holy quest, and Ithillians, who decry Norlanders as heretics and evildoers. Where this war will go and what effects it may have remain cloudy, and only time will remove that shroud. |
by Onliana Vellos of Norland  |
Falasan declares War upon Darka 7th March |
A day on from the battle in Belegmon, the Kingdom of Falasan has declared war upon the Kingdom of Darka. In the past ten days, Eston has taken over the Falasian regions of Belegmon and Nazia, former historical regions of Eston. Darka was hired to assist Eston in her ambitions. In retaliation, Falasan along with her ally, the Ash Sea Islands launched an attack on the concentrated forces of Eston and Darka at Belegmon. As a result, hundreds of men-in-arms were killed along with two attacking nobles, Falasian - Dakhir and Ashlantean - Caleb[ref] along with many more nobles wounded or captured. Falasan declared war upon Darka just this morning to "avoid misunderstandings amongst soldiers". In a realm-wide letter, King of Darka, Kostaja Kosunen assured that "after our mission our relations with Falasan will be probably be reinstated to neutral or higher."[ref] Scores of wounded nobles have retreated into the nearest hospice, however some have found traveling very difficult as the wounded hampered the progress of their journey. Healers have been busily attempting to save the lives of the brave warriors while local priests have been conducting ceremonies for those mortally wounded. |
by Nirandor Jezralhm of Darka  |
Morale Management 6th March |
War is everywhere in Atamara right now. It's almost a bit hard to remember who is allied with who, who is fighting who, and what they're fighting about. With RedSpan now at war with the Ash Sea Islands, things have gotten that much more complicated. While most RedSpanners are happy (or outright elated) that they are finally retaking Rogeshore, a few nobles have voiced their displeasure with the offensive, calling it dishonorable and underhanded.
The most outspoken is one Min Al'akor, a relatively new RedSpanner, who unlike the general populous of RedSpan, is not a follower of Da One. This, combined with her claims that RedSpan is being underhanded in their war with ASI, has caused a couple of other nobles to voice their displeasure, and distrust, of the Lady of Al'akor. Below is the letter that started it all.
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by Benny Kimura of RedSpan  |
The Beginnings of the Rogeshore War 5th March |
On the evening of March 4, 2007, a heavy vanguard of RedSpan forces attacked the Ashlantean region of Rogeshore and defeated the light militia units stationed in the region.
The battle pitted HRH Tony, King of RedSpan, High Marshal Dielo, Arch Priest Ralph the Third, and six other knights of RedSpan whose forces totaled 126 infantrymen, 65 mixed infantrymen, 17 archers, and 49 cavalrymen, against four Ashlantean defending units with 62 infantrymen and 20 cavalrymen. The total combat strengths of Redspan and Ash Sea Islands were 3366 vs. 1351, respectively. As the battle began the two noble-led Ashlantean units, both infantry, and one cavalry militia unit advanced towards the approaching RedSpan army while an infantry militia unit held its position. Soon, the two forces crashed into each other in the middle of the battlefield. First two RedSpanian cavalry units led by HRH King Tony and High Marshal Dielo charged the Ashlantean infantry and cavalry while those units charged back, causing heavy casualties among both sides. Ash Sea Islands might have won the battle had there not been the RedSpan infantry to sweep in after their cavalry and force the defending Ashlantean units to retreat. When those units were neutralized, the RedSpanians advanced upon the dug-in Ashlantean militia infantry and wiped the unit out. So ended the first battle of this new war. Two nobles were wounded in the fighting, High Marshal Dielo of RedSpan and Marco of Ash Sea Islands. The total casualties for the battle were 62 men for RedSpan and 76 men for Ash Sea Islands. In the day since the battle RedSpan has consolidated its hold on Rogeshore with little interference from substantive Ashlantean forces. It remains to be seen how long that will last. |
| by Elenar Tasartir of RedSpan |
"Da Goat vs The Serpent" War of the Priests 5th March |
It has begun. After the dust has settled from the RedSpan-Darkan War, RedSpan earnestly rushed into rebuilding both its homeland infrastructure and her mobile military force. However, while this was made apparent to the world... a second form of construction commenced.
Elinda Enstance has always been hard at work for Da Way, along with the other Elder Members of Da Way, the official state religion of RedSpan. Her work tends to stay hidden from the public eye, and it is a thankless task, but nevertheless, she has done a wonderful job. In addition with the induction of Mossimo Kimura into Da Way's priesthood, the "revival" gained momentum. Following Mossimo's induction, as many as two other nobles dedicated themselves to the priesthood. With great fervor, the young priests headed out to aid their elders in spreading their word. But this has not been an easy task. Members of Magna Serpaensism, the official religion of the Ash Sea Islands, had laid down deep roots in the border regions of RedSpan. The young priests have been attacked by enraged Magna Serpaensism followers on several occasions, with Mossimo claiming the most actual injuries incurred during these events. These attacks are not by any means random attacks, however - the RedSpanner priests willingly take such risks in knowing full well these regions are prodominantly occupied by their rival faith. While the soldiers of RedSpan wage a physical war in former RedSpan region of Rogeshore, in an effort to restore Da Great Highway, RedSpaniard priests are waging a war of a spiritual variety. Will this turn into a no-holds barred holy war? Will RedSpan be content to simply restore their faith, and their highway? Or will the Ash Sea Islands retaliate? Who, truly, is the rightful owner of the land, and souls, of these people? Only time (and a lot of broken bones) will tell who the true victors of this war really are. |
| by Benny Kimura of RedSpan |
