Red Star Courier/Page 2

The Red Star Courier Price: One doughnut "All the muse has seen fit to print" July 2006 Printed in Hamadan News ==== Update on Ubent and Caligus ==== --by Aeillien Mandraken, July 5th, 2006 Since our previous report on the situation in Ubent and Caligus more information has come to light that we did not have at the time. But first we wish to make something clear. Despite the outright statements contained in some reports or the implications contained elsewhere, Caligus has not surrendered or signed an official ceasefire with Yssaria. Negotiations are in progress, what their results will be is still uncertain. Yssaria has officially declared a ceasefire with Ubent, and there is a signed peace agreement, which has by now been widely reported. Our diplomatic state with them is not yet officially peace, pending, as this reporter understands it, compliance with the terms of the peace treaty. Let me first deal with Ubent, as it the simpler situation of the two. The negotiations for this peace agreement have been in the works for about a month, and the nobles of Ubent voted on the agreement, with a majority voting in favor, as is the custom in Republics. It should be noted that the Chancellor of Ubent had recently been reconfirmed as Chancellor at the beginning of this month. Although this reporter has no sources that indicate this, it strikes me as logical that the election would have been, at the very least, a referendum on the peace agreement. In his announcement of the treaty, the Chancellor of Ubent noted that he expects it would take one or two weeks to come into full compliance with its terms. When this reporter asked King Eleran about the agreement, he had this to say: “Zog is a good man and is doing whatever he can for his people. Ubent will exist and continue the cultural history that it gives to this island. Quake of Ibladesh and Lucian of Itorunt are great to work with and have offered much from their realms.” That about sums it up as regards the Ubentian situation, as far as this reporter is concerned. Regarding Caligus, the reports in the Caligan Courier gave everyone the first real inside look at how the rebellion went down. All in all, it seems to have been achieved fairly bloodlessly and quickly. This seems to have been partly both because of the numbers of nobles who fairly quickly declared support for the rebellion, as well as who was part of it. Vlad was not alone among the inner circles of Caligus in joining the rebellion. Medium, the treasurer at the time of the rebellion (who, in addition, can been voted in as Banker the previous day), and Kamekaze and Glen, members of the “outer council” of the realm along with Vlad also took part. It should be noted that Kamekaze had formerly been a Marshal of the Realm and is a well known and prominent noble of Caligus. These factors seem to have convinced Queen Gwynyth to give up the crown, bloodlessly ending the rebellion. In his declaration of rebellion and since then Vlad has been quite open about his goals: Peace with Yssaria and neutral relations with the rest of the island. There are, in fact, negotiations ongoing. No results have been achieved yet, but my King has assured me that he will inform me of any news. ==== Rebellion in Caligus! ==== --by Aeillien Mandraken, July 2nd, 2006 Breaking News A few hours ago this very day, a troop leader by the name of Vlad Nosferatus led a succesful rebellion again the Caligan Queen Gwynyth Kazan. No details of the rebellion itself are known, or the aftermath that has followed it. This rebellion, coming while Yssaria continued its attempt to take over Aestus, cannot but be seen as a setback to the Caligan war effort. Vlad Nosferatus is an old hand in Caligus and has been part of the inner circle of power in that kingdom for quite some time, having been appointed Banker several times, as well as holding the titles of Marquis of Tokat and Duke of Akesh Temple. At the time of the rebellion he was publicly known to be part of the “outer council” a group of nobles who advised the Queen in addition to the Judge, Banker, and Marshal. It is worth noting the history of rebellion of the Nosferatus family here, especially in connection to the province of Tokat, from which the family hails. Vlad’s father was a leader of the rebellion on Tokat when Fontan took over the region. His father was executed, but Vlad and his brother continued his work. Of the three, Vlad became the most well known for his commitment to Tokat, as well as his commitment to Caligus when it took over that region, becoming known as the “Hero of Tokat.” It can only be guessed how the damage inflicted on Tokat during the war with Yssaria affected him. This reporter was present during Yssaria’s takeover of that region last month, and he recalls the land being deeply damaged by war and nearly depopulated. Even less can it be imagined what his reaction might have been to the loss of his beloved Tokat to Yssaria, its declaring independence from both realms and going rogue, and its subsequent capture by Light of Fountain. Whether it is this, or some other motive that caused him to lead a rebellion against a government he was so much a part of, is not known. ==== Ubent sues for peace!==== --by Aeillien Mandraken, July 2nd, 2006 Today, the southern federation of Yssaria, Itorunt, and Ibladesh reached a favorable peace agreement with Ubent, apparently removing that realm out of the current conflict for at least the near future. The terms of the treaty give Winkamus to Yssaria, the Mines of Isadril to Ibladesh, and Moyale to Itorunt, as well as limiting the size of the army that Ubent may field, on top of having it withdraw from its alliances with Caligus and Perdan. As of this report it is not known by this reporter how long the negotiations for this agreement have been going on, but it is suggestive that the Ubent front of the war has been quiet for about two weeks. The full text of the agreement follows: "Instrument of Armistice between the Republic of Ubent and the Southern Federation” Being necessary to ensure the survival of the Republic of Ubent, the aforementioned agrees to the following terms: The Republic of Ubent will surrender and renounce all claims on the region of Winkamus to Federation member the Kingdom of Yssaria, until such time as the region is lost to another realm or either signatory ceases to exist. The Republic of Ubent will surrender and renounce all claims on the region of Mines of Isadril to Federation member the Theocracy of Ibladesh, until such time as the region is lost to another realm or either signatory ceases to exist. The Republic of Ubent will surrender and renounce all claims on the region of Moyale to Federation member the Empire of Itorunt, until such time as the region is lost to another realm or either signatory ceases to exist. As the Itorunt Empire currently shares no border with the Ubent Republic, the region will be surrendered to Ibladesh in trust until a further arrangement between Itorunt and Ibladesh is made. The Republic of Ubent will limit its military forces to that force necessary only to defend against monsters, undead and other minor aggressors. This is considered as 6,000 Combat Strength. This value may be varied on situation and appeal to the Federation. The Republic of Ubent will renounce its alliances with the Kingdoms of Perdan and Caligus. In return, the Federation will accept overtures of peace from Ubent, and guarantee no incursions on Ubent's borders unless any item of this instrument is broken by Ubent. The Republic of Ubent agrees to deny safe harbour or passage to any former member of the Kingdoms of Perdan, Caligus or Kalmar sufficiently experienced to know the ways of their former realms. These terms will be supported by the Republic of Ubent and the members of the Southern Federation. Should any party lapse in their duty, the remaining parties will agree on suitable chastisement. Signatories: Zog Returns Prime Minister of the Republic of Ubent Eleran King of the Kingdom of Yssaria Quake Pontifex of the Theocracy of Ibladesh Lucian Vincent King of the Empire of Itorunt* *Correction: Due to a transcription error, the original version of this report had Zog Returns as having signed the treaty twice. The copy of the treaty this reporter was given did not have the signature of Itorunt. This has now been confirmed as an error, the treaty has officially been signed by all parties and is now in effect. ==== Victory in Aestus ==== --by Aeillien Mandraken, July 2nd, 2006 Late last month Yssaria went back on the offensive against Caligus by marching into Aestus and initiating an attempt to take over the region. The response from Caligus was at the same time both expected and surpring. It was expected that Caligus would respond to the offensive, that followed as certaintly as sailor’s shoreleaves and bar brawls. What was surprising was the almost suicidal nature of the attack. The Caligans came in outnumbered by better than three to one in sheer numbers, with Yssaria’s infantry alone outnumbering the entire Caligan army. The Rampant Lion reffered to it, aptly, as a “desperate move.” Unlike the great romantic ballads beloved by some ladies of noble birth, desperate moves in the real world are born, usually, out of a lack of any other resources or solutions, and ingloriously failed. This one was no exception. The attacking force was wiped out in two hours of lopsided fighting, with over half a dozen nobles of Caligus being wounded as they fed their units into the waiting defenders. Going into the details of the battle is unnecessary, it was, from the beggening, a lopsided contest, with a clear winner, the only question is what drove Caligus to make such an attack, and whether this latest move on their part may have, perhaps, been of consequence in the troubles they seem to have recently suffered. Features None yet this month. Editorials None yet this month. Back to the front page..