The Rampant Lion/LucianJuly18

The following message was delivered by King Lucian on July 18, 2007, to announce that Itorunt would be leaving the Southern Federation with Ibladesh and Yssaria.

Report from Lucian (just in)

Message sent to the Rulers of this world (10 recipients)

As most of you know, Itorunt has been somewhat concerned over the direction Ibladesh has taken for some time. I've gone over them several times with most of you, but to briefly cover the direction of our concerns in chronological order: -Ibladesh trades with Kalmar/Avamar Selective while the rest of the island is at war. Ibladeshi gold in the islands goes towards the Kavamarian army. This despite many closer realms (both by distance and by diplomacy) willing to offer food. -Construction of an Ibladeshi temple in the islands and conversion of the islands using native priests, knowing full well the possible influence of enemy priests on the allied war effort, eventual fate of the island realms and preferences of those to create the realm now Obsidian. -Granting the islanders safe haven, knowing their previous crimes and their position with the allied realms; several of their most outspoken supporters being (then-) highly regarded members of the realm. -Threatening military action against Obsidian for tearing down the above temple that had been placed their in already questionable circumstances. -Appointment of a refugee islander to a high position. -Mixed responses from those in power in Ibladesh, usually attempting to pin the cause of blame on a percieved rival faction in Ibladesh the respondee is not part of. It appears, in Itorunt's eyes, that Ibladesh has detoured from the realm that we once fought alongside - not necessarily in a bad way, but not one that Itorunt can blindly support with the dedication inherent in a federation. This has been developing for some time, but has only come to head recently, with Beziers and the Pontifical election. Where Itorunt tries to put all its trust and faith in its allies, but especially its federated brethren; it does not seem that at least some part of Ibladesh shares that confidence, or is willing to extend the same to us. A realm-wide referendum decided in favour of removing ourselves from federation with Ibladesh until we are certain of the relationship between our realms and the faithfulness and honesty of Ibladesh with us. This we shall be doing shortly. This has been a long time in coming, but I wanted to allow discussion at all levels of the realm with all that we knew, and it would have been unseemly to cause such disruption during Sirion's tournament. The same concern does not extend to Yssaria - they have been good to Itorunt as we have tried to be good to them, and it is our sincere hope that this relationship continues unabated. Nor does it affect our relationships with other realms. This is intended only to seperate ourselves for the above reasons - it is not our intention to completely turn our backs or create war and strife, but if such is the path decided we shall not falter - not for power and glory, we have all of this we need, but for a return to the good and strong bonds that originally forged the south into our great federation.

Lucian, King of Itorunt, Marshal of the Imperial Army