Tara Times/Archive History/January 2007 Issue

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The Tara Times
Price: ONE GOLD PIECE	Editor: Peter Kolak	Date of Issue: January 12th, 2007

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Archive History

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Tara Prepares For War

January 31st, 2007 Today, Jonathan, Dictator of Tara, announced to the nobles of Tara and the leaders of Atamara, that Tara will soon be going to war with Falasan. Tank, the newly crowned king of Falasan, seems less open to the idea of peaceful handover then his predecessor, Catherine. According to Jonathan he has reiterated that Tara should negotiate with Falasan to regain control of the regions in question. He also has claimed that Chagasu was properly conquered by Falasan during the war. To this Jonathan has officially announced that Tara will now take the regions of Chagasu, Aigaling, Chato, and Jagla by force from Falasan. He has also hinted that it may not stop there: "Will [Tara] expand further? I doubt it. At the same time, though, one of the offers for peace that was made on our end was that if the regions were handed over peacefully, we would not advance." He says that he will try to hold the nobles of Tara back but he is not making any promises. Tara is bustling in anticipation for the war. Region lords are being decided upon, soldiers being recruited, nobles visiting their families one last time, and Tara's large trading corps readying for economic warfare. Although war has yet to be officially declared (Jonathan has lowered the status to neutral at the moment) it is expected very soon maybe within the day. Written by Rojo Devesta

Falasan's Other War

January 31st, 2007 While Tara prepares for war against Falasan, Falasan is already at war with Eston to the north. Eston started the war on January 25th with an unannounced attack on the Falasani regions of Nazia and Belegomon. According to the Eston Tribune, their are rumours the war is being fought over past grievances. Mainly the breach of neutrality by Falasan during the Viking war, in which Falasan allowed MI troops to assault Eston through its land but also a past fiasco during the Darka/RS cold war in which Catherine allowed RS troops passage onto Eston land. Another rumour behind the motive was that Eston was requesting Falasan hand over some regions. Due to a miscommunication error Eston did not receive Catherine's reply in agreement and promptly declared war on Falasan. They believed they would be supported by the Cagilan Empire but CE has yet to declare war. Already this war has claimed some victims including the legendary Estonite hero: Black Feather. You can follow the war either through the above mentioned Eston Tribune or the yet to be published Falasan Inquirer. Written by Rojo DeVesta

The Tara Falasan Affair

January 31st, 2007 Lately this newspaper has kept pace in the arena of intercontinental news, but it has altogether failed to report on Taran issues. For that we humbly apologize and we hope this article will sum up what has been happening in Tara recently. Right now, Taran troops are spread out through the Falasan regions of Chagasu, Chato, Aigling, and Jagla. They are currently there in peace but this may all change fairly soon. To understand this situation one must go back a while to a war in which Falasan and a number of other realms attacked Tara and reduced her to the pitiful state she is in today. Apparently this war was carried out on Tara for supporting the extinct realm of Tuchanon. In this war Falasan gained the regions now in question and has continued to own them to this very day. Fast forward now to a couple months ago, in which Catherine, Queen of Falasan, is engaged with Jonathan, Dictator of Tara in open dialogue over possible ways to repatriate Tara’s rightful lands. There was some talk of Tara purchasing the land back but the deals went to slow and the gold Tara’s government was holding onto was taxed away. Negotiations continued but got nowhere over the next few months. Finally, about a week ago Jonathan became more active and issued a proclamation to the rulers of Atamara. In it he detailed the original loss of the regions and the recent efforts on both Falasan and Tara’s part to return the land. He also spoke warmly of Catherine and her willingness to negotiate with a once bitter enemy, even if some in Falasan disliked this idea. He also requested that Catherine hand over the regions in question peacefully and free of charge to Tara. In return for this act of benevolence, Jonathan would “promise that [Tara] will not venture further into her lands to claim or reclaim that which is not ours.” Now some of you outsiders may be wondering why this is such a big deal. Why not continue to negotiate and buy the lands back from Falasan? Why ask a ruler to give lands back merely out of the goodness of her heart (and probably against the will of her people)? The reason for this is because Tara can no longer wait. We are the smallest realm on the continent and we have way too many nobles and peasants for our number of regions. In order to maintain a unit nobles have to rely on the charity of our peers or family. In order to feed ourselves we have a massive (maybe the largest in the all of Atamara) amount of traders working night and day to bring food to our capital. We were once a great nation, now we are a mere 5 regions big. Every other day another noble leaves in search of better pastures. Four more regions would really help this situation and as you can see Tara can no longer wait. Hence the reason Taran troops were just recently in Falasan. Jonathan, hoping to put pressure on Catherine and have troops in place in case a handover was initiated, ordered the Taran nobles to occupy the regions of Chagasu, Aigling, Chato, and Jagla. However, an unexpected fence has appeared in Tara’s way. Catherine has for unknown reasons (rumours say it has something to do with the Titans) was recently removed from her position as Queen, and in her stead a new king has been crowned. Tara worried about aggravating the new leader has ordered a withdraw of all Taran troops from Falasan soil until Jonathan and the council can open up dialogue between the two nations. Hopefully this article will sum up what has happened in Tara lately. Expect more updates to follow as this story is developing rapidly. Written by Rojo DeVesta

Story so far...

January 29th, 2007 A new war is breaking out (6 days, 11 hours ago) Norland has declared war on Minas Ithil. A new war is breaking out (3 days, 7 hours ago) RedSpan has declared war on Talerium. A new war is breaking out (3 days, 6 hours ago) Barony of Makar has declared war on Minas Ithil. A new war is breaking out (3 days, 1 hour ago) Eston has declared war on Falasan. A new war is breaking out (2 days, 18 hours ago) Abington has declared war on Darka. If this Reporter missed any Wars in the list, kindly inform The Tara Times Office in Foda. Written by Jose dela Cruz

Cold War Finally Ended

January 27th, 2007 Several days ago the infamous Darkan/Redspan cold war went up in flames as the Darkan army launched a swift surprise attack on Meldeen and then moved onto capture the RS city of Stargard. Along with their allies, Talerium, and the Barony of Makar, the Darkan army only met token resistance in both regions. Of course RS's federation partner, Abington has declared war on Darka and their army already is heading out to assist RS in recapturing the regions. Darka and its allies are aware of this and therefore are launching a massive looting spree before they are pushed back by a fresh wave of Abi/RS troops. The battlefield is not the only place this war is raging. The various realms' newspapers' (Redspan Revealer, Volcanic Hot Newsletter, and Abington First!) have all engaged in a relentless intellectual war against the opposing side. The Redspan Revealer especially, has taken a very biased opinion on the whole war. I am currently visiting Darka and decided to interview some of the nobles and lords on the recent events, however I received a stony welcome from the first region lord I met. I almost gave up hope but then ran into none other than the enigma who set the whole war off: Mr_Jones. I requested an interview but he has yet to reply. Hopefully an article will be in the paper soon! Written by Rojo DeVesta

TARA TIMES Staff Apologizes to Readers

January 26th, 2007 Achilles Arilius, Chief Editor, and journalists Jose Dela Cruz, the manxy, Rojo DeVesta and Lister O'claude Ve would like to express our sincere apology to the dedicated readers of this paper. Our failure to report on the massive buildup of Allied Troops in our capital and the political machinations of our Great Dictator, Jonathan, has brought shame to our honor as journalists and the principles of Free Speech. We have no excuse and expect no forgiveness. All we ask is the understanding of fellow Tarans during this time of great destiny. Now that the Censorship is over and our Families have been released from the Protective Custody of Tara's National Security Agents (to protect our Reporters' kids from enemy Infiltrators like AJ), we assure our Readers that the Tara Times will now give them realtime News as they happen!!! Remember!!! Fair and Balanced Tara Times where We Report, You Decide!!! Written by Jose dela Cruz

War and Chaos!!!

January 23th, 2007 Rumors and confusion reign today in Foda as word reached the capital that Norland has declared War on Minas Ithil. This despite the fact that MI recently surrendered three Regions to Norland as a sign of peace. Reasons for the hostilities are said to vary from greed to Divine Edict though this reporter leans more to the former rather than the latter. Regardless, the Times is already getting reports of massive Troop Movements near Tara though the Norland/MI War is far away. It would appear that one side will be getting reinforcements pretty soon. On Other News Today, Rage and Fury are erupting in the Shanandoah Tournament today as reports circulated of the War. A War of Words is already being waged as Nobles from the concerned realms accuse each other of hypocrisy, avarice and betrayal. As most of the Minas Ithil Nobility are attending their own Tourney, one wonders if the Army of Norland will even meet resistance in the 24 hours needed to return!!! No doubt this realization will only add fuel to the raging arguments all across the Tourney Grounds. Its gonna be a heck of a war. Written by Jose dela Cruz

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

January 22th, 2007 The infamous Redspan Assassin known as AJ has been sighted twice in the vicinity of Foda. The First Incident: You set out on a mission to take out AJ (Lord). You manage to sneak into his sleeping quarters unnoticed. Silently, you sneak up on your target, and surprise him. You manage to wound him, but you have to break off before you can do serious damage. You successfully escape the guards and vanish into the shadows again. The Second Incident: You set out on a mission to take out AJ (Lord). You manage to sneak into his sleeping quarters unnoticed. Your target is quick and attentive, and spots you in time. You have no choice but to fight him one on one. The fight goes back and forth for a time, too long. As you hear the guards approaching, you break out and run away. You successfully escape the guards and vanish into the shadows again. Despite being wounded by our valiant defenders the first time, AJ has returned to no doubt fulfill some evil upon us. All Taran Citizens are requested to report any sightings to the nearest police unit at once. Written by Juan dela Cruz

Tara Tourney Grounds?!

January 15th, 2007 After the recent tournament announcement by Sir Dead Angel3, there has been discussion about having a tourney in Tara. The only hitch in the plan is that Tara doesn't have any tournament grounds to hold it on. However, this problem seems one step closer to being solved with the today's announcement by Thor, Duke of Foda: The council and I have agreed that Tara should take upon the task of building our own tourney grounds! We will need as much money as possible from all who can contribute. If you have any bonds that you wish to see go towards this task please send them to me. It will take at least one more tax day to have enough gold to build the grounds. I will try to contribute up to 200 gold myself. This means that we need 600 gold from the rest of the realm to go towards this project! I am sure everyone in Tara would love to have a tournament on home turf, so all Taran nobles who are able to do so please send your bonds directly to Thor. Written by Rojo Devesta

Sleepless In Foda

January 12th, 2007 Another morning hoping for a Monster Spawning. I must remember to water the horses first before anything else. Horse slaver all over your body after you've bathed and eaten kinda makes everything more depressing. After watering, the horses must be fed their oats and whiskey. Then drills for the Troop till mid-afternoon. Then tea with the General Staff. Then dinner in Foda Castle with the Dictator. With luck, cries of incitement and treason will be heard. Stagger of to bed hopefully too drunk to feel anything. Wake up... repeat. The mindless tedium of doing the exact same thing over and over again. The constant predictability of routine. That Noble Kevin Whatshisname left for Beluaterra a few days ago. We are down to 66 effectives now. I hear told we went down to the low 40's before I signed up. Strangely enough, the money is STILL not enough. Maybe that's why Billious left so sudden, eh? Ha Ha. The letters are the worst. My brother Javier is a Hero now on South-East Island. He claims seniority over ME!!! His tales of glory under the leadership of the manxy's brother, cronos, I find uncredible. Maybe cronos is making him lie? Never trusted a man with the same name as an enemy. Maybe I should check the manxy's lineage. Promotion through stabbing the Judge shouldn't be too unethical. Lawyers grow on trees, nowadays. No one talks anymore. Even the gossip has grown stale. Except for that Carelian War false alarm, none had anything new to say for weeks. I gotta stop drinking. Alcohol is a depressant. Maybe I should ask that suck-up Trader for stimulants? Good stimulants... Cocaine or Ritalin? I need to frame someone if I get cocaine. I think its illegal here. Maybe if I share? Room getting dizzy... must remember to plant evidence on gullible student tommorrow. What was his name? Tom? No, Tom graduated. Got me a book off of him. I'll ask his name in the morning. Got to sleep... got to... Written by Jose Dela Cruz

Another Day, Another Tourney

January 14th, 2007 Sir Dead Angel3, King of Minas Ithil has announced a tournament of Joust and Swordfight to be held in Shanandoah 9 days from now. The Announcement above is only the latest of a series of Tourneys held since the end ASI vs Abington War. Outside the occasional Monster Bash, Tourneys are the prime source of amusement in Atamara these days. Sometimes it generates the entertaining Death Duel but usually its just talk, talk and more talk. All Taran Nobles are invited to attend. Just remember to bring your earmuffs to drown out the meaningless chatter. Written by Jose Dela Cruz

The Tara Times is Back!

January 12th, 2007 After a long hiatus the Tara Times is once again back in action! Reborn due to unique mix of boredom and patriotism, this rejuvenated paper hopes to bring a balanced report of Taran and Atamaran news. Although the old editor and publisher, Achilles Arilius, will still head the paper, a new host of journalists have arisen from the ranks of Taran nobles. Among them Jose Dela Cruz, the manxy, Rojo DeVesta (me!), and Lister O'claude Ve. Resurrecting a long dead paper is hard work, so we'll be a little slow until we get everything figured out. Eventually though, we hope to be on par with the great newspapers of the continent. Anyone interested in helping write the paper is to contact all of the newspaper staff. Written by Rojo DeVesta