Latlan Herald/Issue 1

The Latlan Herald
Issue 01	The Voice of Latlan!	3 Silver

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Latlan threatened?

22nd February 2007 (Apokh) by Dimon

Whisperings that the armies of Mesh have been gathering on the border to Apokh have recently been proved spectacularly correct as reports have filtered throughout the realm. Over 10,000 men are said to have gathered in Kraake with intentions that remain as yet unknown. After HRH King Scion managed to gain Watto off Ashborn peaceably last week, it was thought that we would hence forth stay out of the affairs of the Ashborn federation. Though perhaps there is something the government is not telling us? Whatever happens, it looks like Latlan will bare the brunt of whatever woe befalls Heen.

Royal Treasurer Disappears

22nd February 2007 (Lin Helon) by Dimon

The Royal Treasurer, Medium T-Style, has not been seen nor heard of since he left for the tournament in Melhed five days ago. Indeed, reportedly he hasn't even been seen at the tournament either. However we are assured by the Treasurers people that he will return safe and sound from the tournament when he's ready.

Apokh returning to normality

16th February 2007 (Apokh) by Dimon

From a low point where Apokh looked ready to revolt and join with Mesh or even declare independence outright, Apokh is finally showing signs of strong recovery after several days hard work by Duke Attila and Baroness Joan. Upon the arrival of Duke Attila in Apokh earlier this week he quickly set about turning the atrocious internal situation around. Regular police patrols were swiftly organised to break the back of the dissident independence movement and Duke Attila personally helped restructure the local bureaucracy in order to make it easier for the citizens of Apokh to go about their everyday lives. Word from the Duke's household implies that the recovery strategy embarked upon by Attila was in stark contrast to the method put forward by the powers that be; with the original orders being that harsh courts were to be conducted each day in order to enforce the loyalty of the people of Apokh. However, as reported earlier by this journal, the Apokhians grew so enraged by their treatment that Baroness Joan couldn't even hold a successful court session; with each attempt being disrupted by the mob. Despite the heavy handed strategy being backed up by greater powers, it is said that Duke Attila specifically ordered that no more courts were to be held until Heen had regained some of the trust they had lost with the people - and even when court sessions were resumed Baroness Joan was to be just rather than harsh in her judgements. With each passing day it now becomes increasingly apparent that by dealing with the revolt in this even handed way, Duke Attila saved Apokh.

Hedonism remains Strong

19th February 2007 (Latlan) by Dimon

Riaan, a priest of the Valentic Order was seriously wounded in Latlan today as he made various slurs upon the heritage of the people in the name of his own religion. It seems that despite the rampant anti-Hedonist feeling in Heen and the governments attempts to bring every religion it can into the realm to combat Hedonism, that the people of Latlan will have none of it. They recognise the Heenite hypocrisy for what it is, clearly.

Watto becomes flashpoint

12th February 2007 (Watto) by Dimon

Like wildfire, word has spread throughout the kingdom today of diplomatic clashes between HRH King Scion and Chancellor Aenarion over recent controversies surrounding ownership of Watto. Three days ago the region sought the protection of our kingdom in order to escape the ravaging war between Sint and Ashborn. One day after that however, Watto upped and changed allegiances again. Watto is now in the hands of Ashborn after Zyrthos Sarracenia miraculously managed to persuade local officials there of his ancient right to the region. It is suspected that considerable money changed hands. It is unknown what action will be taken at whats perceived to be a gross violation of Heen sovereignty.

State of Apokh

12th February 2007 (Apokh) by Dimon

Baroness Joan has had the third court session in a row interrupted by an angry mob. Discontent with Heen rule is now as strong as it was when Duke Attila first gave his allegiance to King Scion. A servant to the Duke's household assures us that Attila intends to try to do more to aid his vassals in seeing off the threat of revolt from now on.

Estates remain empty

11th February 2007 (Latlan) by Dimon

Earlier today, the Heenite bureaucracy announced new territorial guidelines for economic and civil management of the Kingdom. This involves further decentralising the authority of the Lords and Dukes and giving Knights the opportunity to help in the day to day running of the realm. For example, if a Knight wished to ensure the obedience of the people to the rules and laws of Heen he would have the serfs on his estate aid with the policing of the region to which his estate belongs. In a statement, Duke Attila welcomed the new changes, saying they signified a 'new era for the people and Kingdom of Heen.' Despite Attila's public solidarity with the leadership of Heen however, there are whisperings of deep dissatisfaction with the new rulings by leading Latlan citizens - in the main part motivated by the measures placed upon Attila since he swore allegiance to Heen. Thus Latlan remains unable to play host to any knights at all in what is thought to be a blatant attempt to limit the influence of Latlan.

Comment: Estates

11th February 2007 (Latlan) by Dimon

The implementation of estates at this time, whilst Sotrebar and Apokh are still healing from the actions of Duke Attila in joining with Heen seems to demonstrate the callousness of the powers that be in our new kingdom. Not content with leaving the Duchy effectively powerless and indefensible by denying the Duchy of Latlan the right to have knights, it seems that Heen is now deliberately trying to make life harder for Duke Attila, Count Fror and Baroness Joan as they try to keep order and prosperity in Heen's most valuable new possessions.

Quote of the Week

9th February 2007 (Kif) by Dimon

"No report; nobody crying? Darn - I guess he made it!" Riaan (Priest of The Valentic Order) expresses his joy as Duke Attila survives yet another encounter with a mob of bloodthirsty monsters.

War on the Horizon

9th February 2007 (Latlan) by Dimon

Prolonged debates have recently taken place between the ruling classes over the future direction of Heen, with various nobles apparently arguing over which realm(s) to stand by in the several conflicts surrounding the Western Badlands. Despite many personal pleas to the King, His Royal Highness has thus far declined to be drawn into the debate. It remains to be seen when HRH will reveal his intentions in public. Surprisingly, very few voices appear to have urged caution in this despite Heen remaining somewhat weakened from the after-effects of the desert civil war.

Watersdown Surrenders

9th February 2007 (Watersdown) by Dimon

Early this morning, the village leaders of Watersdown rode into the encampment of the Heenite takeover forces and pledged their fealty to the Kingdom of Heen; thus putting a swift end to the brutal takeover just begun by the invader forces. With the fall of Watersdown, Vice has now been completely eradicated from the face of Beluaterra. Now she exists only in our hearts.

Granary Report

9th February 2007 (Latlan) by Dimon

With the sale of 600 bushels worth of food to Latlan yesterday, the duchy shall continue to be self-sufficient for the next few months. Latlan has not starved since Attila became Duke nearly a year ago now.