Itorunt Informer/Special Issue 1

The Itorunt Informer
Price: Free! Written by the Exiled Family and Aurum Bishamon.	Bringing you the best of the press from Itorunt!	Special Issue number 1, February/March
Articles Included in This Issue: SPECIAL ISSUE! Exclusive interview from the former general of Yssaria, and a personal message from the editor!

A Personal message from the editor of the Itorunt Informer

We have made our first Special issue, and this is covering the political situation in Yssaria from the view of the former general who feels that her honour has been Besmirched. More on that below though. Right now we have two pieces of news to announce to shake the journalistic world. Firstly, I would like to welcome our new editor Aurum, the founder of ARSE (the Alchohol Refinery and Sales Emporium), who has shown such interest that we have made him an honourary editor! Congratulations, and I hope he can help us with our next piece of news. Secondly, we have been declared WAR on! Such an insult has come from the combined editors of the OCPU. We at the Itorunt informer have taken it upon ourselves to publish the truth, only the truth, and nothing but the truth, unless it involves Caligus, Perdan, Ubent or Oligarch in which case we will do our utmost to slag them off in the public forum. But enough of that. We shall now show our supreme knowledge over the fools at these establishments

Former general of Yssaria speaks out against her former ruler and Judge!

Today Natasha issued a public statement to the realm of Itorunt, detailing what had happened in Yssaria, and detailing the discontent among the realm. A cut down version of the statements follows. For a while we have had problems going after Caligus. After they gave away the region of Winkamus to Ubent, Yssaria effectively had only 1 region we could enter Caligus from. That region was Supra. Unfortunately Supra had level 1 walls and always had over 10K of mobile and militia. In fact, several times they were able to muster close to 20K for that regions defense, as it was right next to their capital. As the High Marshal (HM) it was my contention that the only way to enter Caligus was through getting the walls down in Supra. Once we did that, we could have used our superior resources to attack Caligus and drive them back to their capital. Once that happened we could have seiged Domus itself. In order to accomplish this goal I devised a plan that consisted of 3 waves attacking the fortifications to bring them down. Now some might ask why we did not just attack Supra in 1 overwhelming wave. Well the reason is because like all realms, there is always some inactivity. Second although we showed more CS than Caligus, a lot of that was the militia in Mashhad, Hamadan, and Abadan. About the biggest force we could have mustered in any one wave was between 15-18K. With already 12-14K in mobile and militia and the ability to bring another 3-5K in 1 turn, there was no way for us to attack Supra and win the fight against that CS and level 1 walls. And even if we had won the battle, we could not have razed fortifications before they returned with a force from Domus to kick us out. And then they could dump a ton of militia back in Supra, repair the damage done, and we would have a 3 turn back to our capital and then resupply and then back to Supra for a total of at least 6 turns before we could get back. As Supra is right next to Domus, they could have placed a ton of militia in those 6 turns. So I organized the plan, developed the 3 waves and gave marching orders. We hit Supra with 2 waves and had done tremendous amounts of damage to the walls when a lone Ubent TL entered the region. His presence stopped all fighting and allowed Caligus to repair their walls. Thus the 3-wave attack was thwarted, not due to anything in my control. Some say that I should have ordered murderous settings and we would still have fought, however a similar situation happened in Winkamus and Abadan some months earlier in the reverse and the enemy did place their men on murderous and still there was no battle. I contend that murderous settings would have done nothing. So we returned to Hamadan to resupply and build our forces once more. At that time, the young King Eleran gave me his opinion and felt that he wanted to keep the walls in Supra and eventually TO the region. Now I will not go into great detail about the folly of this plan, but suffice to say that even with our greater resources, it would take months and a lot more casualties for us to finally wipe out all the militia, all the mobile, and to have a greater force as to allow us to keep them out of Supra for long enough to TO the region. In short it was not impossible, but might as well as been. And to prove that point I tried following that advice and we attacked Supra in 1 wave. If I remember correctly it was a complete disaster. First not all of our TL’s moved (remember all realms have those that will fail to move or are inactive). Second, even with the 16K we brought to the fight, they had 18K behind level 1 walls. Now Elerans contention was that we could have returned to Hamadan to resupply and then right back into Supra and eventually it would grind them down. Several problems with that. First, they would be doing the same thing to reinforce Supra. Second we had problems with TL’s moving and with them outnumbering us, we had more wounded TL’s than they did, so even less movement. Third, I called for several early taxes and never received any replies. Only once did we call an early tax and it was 2 turns early from when I requested it. So I went back to the drawing board and planned another 3-wave attack. However, due to TL’s not making the wisest choices, it took us almost 2 weeks to build up the force to attack again. I also requested help from Itorunt, which we finally received. Now before I go any further, let me explain a few things about this 3-wave attack. 1, I conferred with many different people regarding this strategy. I conferred with 4 generals on this island alone, although never received a one response from Ibladesh. I did receive positive feedback from Itorunt, Old Rancagua, and Sirion. Additionally I had my family talk to several generals on other islands to get their opinions. And from every general I got the same response, the 3 wave attack was the only way to go. And finally I also conferred with my own council and although there was some disagreement, the former general sided with my plan and endorsed it. Remember also that had it not been for the lone Ubent TL the first time, the plan would have worked. Now Yssaria was at neutral with Ubent and there was no danger about a non-battle happening. At the time I was briefing the council I received only complaints from one person, Abishur. He was very frustrated that we had not yet attacked again and was more in favor of continually pouring our forces into Supra in the attempt to wear them down. After a week of listening to him bitch I finally stated to him that I was the general, I appreciated his opinion, but did not want to listen to it anymore unless he said something new and I was calling the shots with the military. I will say that I was probably harsher with my words. I respected his role as a marshal, however I listened to what he had to say and then went in a different direction. My prerogative as HM. So we went to battle and even though it took us 4 waves, we brought the walls down. However in the last wave, I was captured by Caligus and lost my position as HM. Now here is where things got interesting. As a captured TL with a position, I realize that in most instances, a new person will be in the position you once had. I do not have a problem with that. I fully expected it to happen. That might have upset me for a short while because I had some great plans after the walls came down, however I would have gotten over that quickly and gone on with my career. I worked with some great TL’s in Yssaria and would have supported any one of them if they had been appointed as the HM in my place. No animosity whatsoever. This is why I got upset and made my decision to leave. When I was returned I saw some messages from Eleran to the realm. I will quote them exactly as he stated them: "It is with great joy that I announce a new High Marshall for this realm. Abishur will now resume the duties of heading up the Yssarian military. Many of you ask, why a change? Over the past few months, Yssarian military lacked many key virtues such as quickness, clarity, and reasonability. The once amazing Yssarian military fell to the wayside as many other heads of state scoffed at our military blunders. Although the mission in Supra this last time was a success, at what price did we achieve it? I am here to offer a new military structure, one of the past, one that remembers what it was like to take the name of Yssaria into combat. This past nostalgia is most valuable regarding the ability to be decisive, quick, and unrelenting. Prandur had this snap. He was the best General that my Father ever saw and is certainly inscribed into the military books that our children will forever read about in their history lessons. However, upon conferring with him, he has passed his hand to the next in line for such an honor. Sumsar and Abishur have been Yssarian Marshals for as long as I can remember. Although I am selecting Abishur as our new High Marshall, Sumsar will be second in Command and will ultimately have the same military influence. Both of these Gentlemen understand the old Yssarian military methods and both offer much strength to compliment each other in the art of battle. Sumsar offers his solid military thinking along with his calm, collective approach to solving practical military problems while Abishur looks outside the military box to try many unique and possibly rewarding results. His approach is very aggressive. I have no doubt in my mind that he will show Yssaria many battles in a more rapid rate than we have seen in months past. Do these men compliment each other? Yes. It is with great honor that I present Abishur as the new military head along with Sumsar as the second in command, which will be reflected, under my Royal Bulletins Decree." On a total side note, did I also mention that Gwynyth, the Queen of Caligus personally commended my strategy in the first set of battles and said it was brilliant and had it not been for the Ubent TL, we totally caught them off guard and would have destroyed them? Certainly I expected a new HM to be appointed, but for my King to have insinuated those things about me when they were simply not true was beyond me. It was a slap in the face and he besmirched my honor. Now do I expect you to take my word for this? No, so I will provide testimony from Yssarian TL’s, even while I was in prison. All 3 come from Rodon, the Duke of Hamadan and my liege. The first was to me, the second was to the duchy of Hamadan, and the 3rd was to the inner council of Yssaria.

Letters sent to Natasha

Message from Rodon Natasha, I want you to know that I disagree with Eleran's view of your military capabilities. I believe you to have done a superb job, and indeed to have found a way through an extraordinarily difficult military puzzle was high achievement indeed. I am saddened by your removal and Abishur's appointment. For now, I'm afraid, the King will not be swayed on this. His youth and brashness have led him to unfortunate decisions, this time. With respect, Sir Rodon, Duke of Hamadan Roleplay from Rackir I disagree with what the king has said about you. You did do what you set out to do. I only said we needed a general now so we did not lose the momentum that you started. Rackir, Duke of Isadril Message from Magnus Message sent to: Everyone in the realm I, too, disagree with replacing Natasha, unless this is only temporary. Natasha brought us victory against great odds, odds which few could have hoped to find victory against. However, if this is the king's will, I shall obviously stand by his decision. Magnus (Knight of Mashhad) Roleplay from Eleran Nobles of Yssaria, If I disturbed you in going against the bane of Yssarian traditions, I apologize. However, sometimes change is a very good thing. Natasha was not my appointment as general. I did not replace her as Caligus took care of it by imprisoning her. I simply felt that Abishur would do a fantastic job and am willing to give him a chance. If he does not prosper, I will look at other situations and entertain the idea of giving someone else a chance. Rendar and Magnus, I appreciate your concerns. This was a very difficult decision and I deliberated on this with many council members for a couple of weeks now. On a brighter side, should anyone else want to be considered for the Marquis position, please send your requests to the council for us to deliberate. Respectfully, Eleran King of Yssaria The reason that I made the above statement italic is that when Abishur was appointed as HM, he stepped down from his position of Marquis of Tota and King Eleran sent out a request on who he wanted to fill the position and who he was considering. Roleplay from Eleran Message sent to: Everyone in the realm Very good Abishur, Nobles of Yssaria. We have an availible opening as a Marquis of Tota. For all that are interested, please send word to the council so that you may be considered for this. I know that some of you have already expressed interest in a position, should it come up; however, please reaffirm your interest. Respectfully, Eleran, King of Yssaria

Natasha's Response

Roleplay from Natasha Greetings TL's of Yssaria. I have just escaped from prison and wanted to write a few things. First of all I see our King did not forward the message I sent to him while I was imprisoned. I sent him a message saying I was proud of everyone that fought in Supra to get the walls down. You are among the best TL's I have ever served with. Knowing that, it makes what I am about to say that much more difficult. I am truly disgusted with King Eleran's comments and reasoning concerning several decisions and things he has said recently. Truly he is not even close to the father I once would have given my life for. A mere shadow of his father is this young King. As far as our military strategy, I am sorry but I will defend my decisions to my dying day. We had no choice but to bring the walls down in Supra. There was perhaps one opportunity that we could have won a battle in Supra using our entire army, but I am confident that before we could have done anything, the Caligus army would have regrouped from their capital and forced us back to our own regions. And then we would have had to start all over again. No, the only realistic choice we had was to take down the walls in Supra. And who was my greatest critic in these matters? Abishur. The man that I once swore my fealty to when I was a new TL to Yssaria. And that was fine for me. I respected his opinion, perhaps more highly than any other in Yssaria. Just because we disagreed, does not mean that I did not respect his opinion. Since King Eleran’s decision, I received several personal messages from nobles of the realm, prominent nobles of the realm, that disagree with his decision and what he said about me. Clearly from the last election for ruler, there is a large portion of TL’s that find his leadership disturbing. I also cannot forget ever what he insinuated about me or the things he outright said. For this reason I have decided to leave this realm. I can no longer fight for a King that I don’t respect. I would like to thank Rodon, Rendar, and Rackir personally for the things they said to me in private. Truly I wish that it could have made a difference to the pain that I fell in my heart. In fact it did, until I read further messages from our King after you said what you did. His comments after what you all said, made up my mind. Initially after reading Eleran’s appointment speech I wanted to leave. Then I read what you said to me and I decided to stay. Then I read further his comments and there is no way that I can stay under such leadership as his. Additionally the fact that I was not even considered for a new lordship is a personal slap in the face from the King. I was the lord of Abadan at one point and gave the position up when I was elected as the Arch-Priestess. Then I was appointed as the High Marshal and when I am captured and lose my position, I am not even considered for anything. Had our King even sent me any type of personal message, perhaps I would have been satisfied, but I guess even though I am a former lord, Arch-Priestess, and High Marshal, I did not even deserve that. And for those of you that are reading this, please do not think that I am bitter about not being the High Marshal anymore. I am not. When you choose to go to battle alongside your troops and fellow TL’s, you always take the risk of getting an injury, getting captured, or worse. Abishur, I wish you the best of luck. You were always a loyal TL and I am sure Yssaria will be fine in your hands. The funny thing is, something that Eleran said to me when I was ordering the TL to battle in Supra also convinced me he is nothing close to his father. When I gave the order to move to Supra I was told by the King that he would not waste his men against the walls of Supra. What type of King does not fight when his entire realm is working towards the same objective? Obviously this one. Perhaps if had brought his archer unit to even one of the fights, the walls would have been damaged that extra 1% and we would not have had to fight that last round of combat in Supra. Alas we will never know. However once again, to me this proves what type of man Eleran is. And it is a man that I can no longer fight for. Perhaps one day when Yssaria gets new leadership I shall return, but not until then. As for where I shall go, it will either be Itorunt or another island, although the fact that if I go to itorunt, I might have to go to battle next to Eleran against the forces of evil, disturb me. Although it breaks my heart to say this, goodbye Yssaria. One final thought, if a new High Marshal is ever chosen, I would recommend Rodon, he has excellent analytical skills and is probably someone that King Eleran never even considered. Lady Natasha (Knight of Hamadan)