Leon's Roar/Issue v2i2

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Volume II Issue II

Editor: Lazlo Lemont II

News Articles

News Briefs

January 1st - In a brave show of force, Sir Demastes of Upper Tell and others rallied the Leonian militia against the Silnarian horde's move to Cheltenborne, checking their advance and taking the field. - With most of the Legion returning to York to refit, the Silnarian horde successfully took the field in Cheltenborne from the stalwart Leonian militia charged with distracting them. January 2nd - The Silnarian horde advanced from Cheltenborne to Crahandan, successfully sacking the garrisons located there. A lost Silnarian was left behind, however, with the Cheltenborne Militia successfully routing his troops. - The Legion returned to Crahandan, smashing the Silnarian horde which had rampaged there earlier in the day. January 3rd - The Minas Leon Legion continued to mop up the remnants of the Silnarian horde in Crahandan. Meanwhile, in Lyton, a combined force of Silnarians and Monsters defeated the Leonian Militia. January 4th - Leonian reinforcements poured into Lyton and cleared the region of the Silnarian/Monster menace. January 7th - After weeks of preparation, the Minas Leon Legion began the Siege of Shanandoah, successfully sacking the city's defenses. The Field Marshal Ciryatan of Umbar ordered all armies, including the NDI and Home Guard, to support the takeover of the city. January 8th - Darka declares war on Lyonesse, asserting that Lyonesse was acting as a Cagilan satelite state. - Aided by NDI and Home Guard reinforcements, the Legion continues their attack on the Shanandoah defenses. Sir Archimbalt, General of the Silnarian horde, was pecked by an arrow from Earl Archibald's bow. The flesh wound required the General's men to carry the cowardly commander from the field. - Following a successful battle, the takeover of Shanandoah was begun. - Mirabella Scientia, a young noblewoman, reportedly retired from noble affairs to oversee her family estates. - The Cagilan Empire and Lyonesse formed an alliance, thus affirming Darkan speculation of the the relationship between the two. January 9th - Suville took control of the rogue region Matakonis. - Suville and Lyonesse signed an alliance, affirming Lyonesse's place in the allied nations. - In a farcical display, Silnaria attempted to field a force against the might of joined Minas Leon. Naturally, their arms were dissolved against our brave forces. January 10th - Once again fooled into thinking they ever stood a chance, the Silnarian "king" led his troops into battle against our glorious legion. Once their army was routed, a leaderless group of Minas Leon soldiers named the "Spirited Marionettes" (usually led by Viscountess Marianna) stumbled upon the quivering fool-king, the dismal Drizztle who was hiding by laying himself in the grass behind a hill. He was summarily captured by Minas Leon forces. - A huge battle was fought in Melias between the Cagilan Empire, Lyonesse, and Darka, offering a violent baptism for Lyonesse into the anti-Darkan alliance. Despite being outnumbered, Darka prevailed in the end. - The remainders of the Silnarian force in Shanandoah were picked off the field by the Minas Leon Forces in the region. January 11th - A huge battle was fought again between Darka and the Cagilan Empire/Rieleston alliance in Melias. Darka once again emerged victorious. - The lord of Saradic changed its allegiance from Lyonesse to Rieleston. January 12th - Treachery! The cowardly Philip Lacoste severed his ties from Silnaria and joined Tara in a bid to keep his claws upon the people of Shanandoah. Undeterred, the armies of Minas Leon parked themselves at his doorstep, content to wait until the people throw the pigleader out. January 14th - Sir Demian Falkenstein retired from his Leohampton estates on this day. - Carelia asserted their control over Tarkhog on this day. January 16th - Dame Dorothea Jeffrey left her estates in Makar, reportedly making her way to Beluaterra. - The combined forces of Caergoth and Carelia successfully defeated the forces of Suville in Tarkhog. - After a brief respite, Sir Charles Elegant, former Baron of Upper Tell, returned to service among the nobility of our fine realm. January 18th - After losing their Imperial Allies, the combined forces of Lyonesse and Rieleston were unable to surmount the Darkan defenses in Slantrax. Upon their victory, Darka claimed the region from Lyonesse. - Carelia carried the field against Suville in Upperfell on this day. - Margrave Gian D`Este, formerly of Lyonesse, pledged fealty to the King of Darka, taking the city with him. January 20th - Strombran and Suville took to the field against Caergoth and Carelia, bashing through the latter's defenses in Tarkhog. - Sir Leoline De Lancelot left the realm of Minas Leon for Beluaterra. January 26th - Carelia and Suville fought in Matakonis, with Suville carrying the day. - Rieleston took control of Saradic. January 27th - Darka triumphed against the Cagilan Empire in Agnilar. January 29th - Darka conquered Agnilar, taking it from Lyonesse. January 30th - Carelia and Tara joined forces with some rogue groups to attack Suville in Lurgrod, but their coalition was repulsed. - Later on, Caergoth reinforced the Taran and Carelian lines, but Suville continued to hold the field in Lorgrod.

By Lazlo Lemont II

The Roar Heard 'cross the World

Editor's Roar

Greetings Leon's Roar Readers! This month has certainly not been the most auspicious month. To dip behind the editor's curtain a bit, I usually compose the Editor's Roar last- after all other articles have been composed, and often well into the following month covered. As I write of our frustrations in Shanandoah and the hilarious bumbling of the Himouras, our lands lay plagued by undead and monstrous incursions. This seems to be a continent-wide dilemma, and in the process it strikes me that our many, many grievances -which seemed so large and important not one month ago- now seem petty in the face of the leaderless, dirty, horde...or at least how it must feel that way for those who were not already fighting Silnarians. It is in these times, though, that we must recognize our common humanity. This is even more important given the Horde's disbelief in borders and diplomacy - an unchecked horde in Icegate can just as easily become a Leonian problem when it moves on to Upper Tell. At the Leon's Roar, it has always been our guiding belief that Minas Leon serves as a vanguard for civilization and honorable feudalism- both of which are universal traits which can be honored by any man and women. Though Minas Leon is arguably the source, there is nothing which states it must be the only land of honorable nobles, the only land worthy of such respect. Thus, as we rally ourselves against the undead, I have determined now to be the best time to actively send out the word of the Leon's Roar to the rulers across Atamara. Not only as an artifact of Minas Leon's cultural might, it is hoped that, with the guiding word of the Leon's Roar, we might all find within ourselves the common values which might unite us against this dual undead/monster threat. Perhaps age-old enemies might be able to put such feuds behind them to laugh in common at the paltry attempts of Silnaria to, well, exist. Perhaps, in so doing, they might be able to join forces and beat back the monstrous beasts at their gates. If this can occur with even one noble, then I would consider this expansion of the Leon's Roar to wide readership to be a success. Astute readers would note that the title of this column is "world," though, not just Atamara. The reason for that is simple: in the process of our expansion, I have received word that we have already suffered our first casualty. My ship "Wilhelmina Lemont's Smile" was lost, dashed against the rocks of Dwilight with all hands missing. The most notable death was Albion Fenwick Fenster, a commoner I had hired to oversee a possible expansion overseas. Though just a commoner, his death will mark the outer reaches of the Roar- a Roar nonetheless heard around the world.

By Lazlo Lemont II

The Sitting Siege

State of the Realm

After months of engagement the glorious armies of Minas Leon began a takeover of Shanandoah. The city, once a shining capital, sat decrepit and fallow under the "administration" of its savage warlord. Speaking to personal experience, I took some time to meander about its dirty streets while my men took to their task of urging the people to accept our King's civilized rule. It truly was a sad sight- the once burgeoning marketplace sat ransacked and filled with filth and beggars of the worst kind. Its starving people cried out for a more generous and foresightful ruler, but deep within the keep of Shanandoah their liege plotted, not to ensure the betterment of his people, but to hold the titles unjustly granted him by the non-realm Silnaria from the corpse of Prince Claudius Motosuwa. With the end of the siege in sight, the treacherous Philip Lacoste renounced his allegiance to Silnaria and stole away the city to Tara, where the Minas Leon armies found themselves bound by our honor and dignity to honor the new flags dyed in Taran blue. Such a deceitful move, to use our own obligations to honor and fealty against us! The siege continued for the rest of the month, but with no overt attempts to take the region. As the armies remained camped outside the city of Shanandoah, former Silnarians flocked to this new holdout. Dressed as Taran soldiers, they walked past our camped legions unmolested to undo the great work done by our people. It is hoped by this editor that the rulers of Tara rightfully look upon these erstwhile allies with great suspicion.

By Lazlo Lemont II

Lyonesse Joins the Brawl, Immediately Loses Ground

Foreign News Update

On the eve of our takeover of Shanandoah, a farcical new development occurred in the giant smashup between Darka and the Cagilan Empire. After some time of perceived hostility, Lyonesse lowered their relations with Darka to full neutrality while continuing to make friendly overtures to the Cagilan Empire. Darka responded to this attempt of Lyonesse to both have and eat cake by declaring war upon them. The Hysterically Howling Himouras soon found their gambit to be quite the folly, losing the cake, the table, and the kitchen set too. By the end of the month Darka had taken over both Slantrax and Agnilar, defeated Lyonesse in every major engagement between the two powers, and even the former capital of Eston, Hawthorne, abandoned the hilarious Himouras to pledge its allegiance to the Darkan cause. We at the Leon's Roar spoke with King Kostaja about this downspiral of fortune for Lyonesse, specifically Margrave Gian D'Este's defection to Darka. The interview is printed below: (ROAR): As a simple landed noble, I was not aware that there was a treaty being brokered to end the war. I saw in your letter to Lyonesse that Darka had attempted to provide input in the treat but was summarily ignored; what sort of proposals had Darka made? (KOSTAJA): Darka proposed a treaty that would be edited so that both sides, when starting to cross Lyonesse lands, must inform which region they will attack. It would even out the situation where CE has several regions to attack, and Darka can attack only one region. Another idea I threw out there was that Lyonesse would close its borders completely from us and CE, and a third idea was to put a similar treaty for Talerium lands, as it would spread out the border for both. (ROAR): As King, was the defection of Hawthorn expected? Or did it catch you by pleasant surprise? (KOSTAJA): When we had burned Melias and its Count, Gias was kicked out of office, we had quite an argument, me and Gias. Even thought we disagreed, I had respect for Gias because of his strong and defensive attitude for his region. Later, when he was appointed as Margrave of Hawthorne, I thought to contact him again. We had a bit more relaxed conversation and I saw his great frustration over Lyonesse leadership; I think giving away Saradic cut close to the bone and he was ready to join Darka. It was tough step for him, and for me too. I didn't trust him yet, but this man would easily save thousands of Darkan soldiers' lives. It would have been long and expensive operation to occupy Hawthorne. Anyway, he joined and now we are building trust with each other as we try to stabilize and secure Hawthorne. So, it was an expected pleasant surprise. (ROAR): Has Lyonesse come back to you and attempted to cease hostilities after losing such an important region? Are there any stipulations that Darka will need before accepting the Lyonesse surrender which will, no doubt, come about? (KING): Lyonesse only made their people hate us after we beat their armies at Slantrax on the eve of its take over. After Hawthorne joined us a few hours later, the Lyonesse Queen changed to hatred relations between us. I was about to start a discussion to find a solution for this. I know there are still some internal troubles at Lyonesse and that those Himouras try to put all the blame on their troubles towards Darka. There is hopefully some sense left in Lyonesse and they will be able to push over these two lunatics. I'm still a bit confused about the rapid change on our relations...it was only few months ago when we seriously talked about giving Massilion to our good friends in Lyonesse. – Interview conducted by Lazlo Lemont II

By Lazlo Lemont II

The Last Viking

Special Features

While taking part in the siege of Shanandoah I had the great pleasure of meeting Edgar Blackmane, the Dictator, Executor, Banker, and General of the Barony of Makar- the last Viking on Atamara. During our short discussion we covered a number of issues, including his past, the fall of the Barony, and his thoughts on the future of Vikings in Atamara. Please feel free to turn the page and read this exclusive special feature!

By Lazlo Lemont II

Corrections and Retractions

We at the Leon's Roar strive to bring readers the best and most truthful news available to us. However, due to distances between sources and correspondents, we can occasionally make mistakes. Recently, this has been the case. Therefore, the Leon's Roar regrets to announce the following corrections from last month's issue: Contrary to the graph posted in that issue, Tara was, in fact, allied with Carelia. Furthermore, The Leon's Roar wrote "While Caergoth and Carelia do not have an alliance with Darka, they have taken advantage of Suville's war with Darka to launch a joint attack against the former's regions." It has been clarified by foreign sources that, in fact, Suville had charged Carelia with not doing enough to stem back Carelian members of "Da Goat" religion. Suville then declared war on Carelia, with Tara and Caergoth coming to Carelia's aid.

Ruler Updates

Cagilan Empire - Susan Maxwell Rieleston - Christofer II Kane (incumbent) Talerium - Aldarion Tezokian (incumbent) Tara - Nireus D.Natalle Conan

Original Format Modified from Roxas Sypher's Excellent Work on the York Journal. The Leon's Roar is Printed by Lemont Printers & Co., Located in York Just Off the Market Road Past The Cage Pub.