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 ==== 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 Vimcent King of the Empire of Itorunt* *Correction: Due to a transcription error, the original version of this report had Zog Returns as having signed twice. The copy of the treaty this reporter was given did not have the signature of Itorunt. For the moment, I am assuming this is an error and am including it, and in the process of confirming. ==== 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..