Heen (Realm)/Heenite Highlights/October '07

Changes and Upgrades!
02 October 1007		Thrydwulf
First things first! Welcome to the brand spanking new look of the Heenite Highlights. There are many people to thank for the makeover this paper has had since the last edition (2 months back!). The designers in the desert, had stopped re-drawing the old editions, and started to work on a new header. Thanks to Melerion Livingstone, the newspaper has a new header. The more observant among you will notice we also have a new realm logo! It has not yet been enbossed onto the equipment of the soldiers, or emblazoned on the armour, or even stitched into a flag. This is a brand new logo, to which many hands took part in the design of. The makers would like very much to enlighten people as to what the different parts of the shield mean to the people of Heen. The overall shape of the shield is to show the true fighting spirit of the desert people. They have survived much suffering in recent times whether by human hands during the civil war, or the more recent invasion. The guilt edge of the shield shows the people's skill with metal, and the fine quality of the equipment and weapons within Heen are reflected here. Emgraved into the edge, are Desert Roses. These symbolise that despite the harsh, arid conditions of the desert, many things will bloom - infact, some quite beautiful. Also emgraved are Scimitars which shows the Heenite's courage on the battlefield. To wield a scimitar from horse/camelback - you leave yourself very open. The main body of the shield shows the skill of some of the fine artists of Heen. The desert skies paint a brilliant picture almost every night, wherever you are in Heen. The camel rider symbolises how different our culture is from that of most other regions on the continent. Some do ride camels, and indeed their presence in the Heen charge has earned them a reputation for their "battle-hardyness". The smithys and armourers will no doubt spend the next few weeks getting to grips with the complex design of the new logo, but there have been positive comments already. The population of the desert regions is quickly approaching 40,000 again, which it hit just before the undead invaded and killed nearly 9000 peasants.		This rise in population, has meant that most of the regions are now working at full capacity. Heen has produced surplus food the past few weeks, and has sold to neighbouring realms to feed needy mouths in light of the continuing oppression. As well as the changes for the better of the newspaper, our realm has gone through a staggering amount of changes since the last edition. Unfortunately, we could not publish September's newspaper properly, as many things weren't ready, but hopefully this part of the article should summarize the events nicely. Many of the positions within Heen have changed, for a variety of reasons. The former Duke of Tahgalez, Kagurati Tian was thought to be doing things his own way a little too often. He actively disobeyed orders to vote upon the giving of service medals within the realm, he dealt with the food in his region against the will of the Banker, and he had far too many ties to the former realm of Varyamo Nolvo to be healthy. The council decided to launch an investigation in secret, but Arch priest Attila leaked the information to Kagurati, and thus caused him to leave...to Mesh. This of course, left the position of Duke of Tahgalez up for grabs. The candidates who stepped forward, were Joan of Arc, Jadine Baraedor, Mao Tse Tung, Medium T-Style and Hericus Le-Fay. A referendum was held with Jadine coming out on top by a vast majority. This meant that Jadine had to give up her position as Baroness of Hcallow. The large estate there went to Tanis Mosher. Around the same time, Beatrice Grancourt stepped down from her position as Countess of Kif, handing over control of the region to her loyal Knight Tissaphernes Ulthran. She also took up the sword again, returning to the army for the future. However, that was not the end of the quick-stepping to take place in Heen. After many rumours of spies within our realm working with Mesh, and leaking all our most important documents, the Arch Priest Attila mysteriously disappeared somewhere in the deserts. After another referendum, where Medium, Jadine and Hericus ran for the position; Arch Priestess of Heen was awarded to Jadine Baraedor, who will soon be stepping down as Duchess of Tahgalez, to give it back to one of the former owners of the stronghold - Mao Tse Tung. After many changes, Heen hopes the positions will be filled well, and few further changes will occur.

Mediations with Mesh 02 October 1007 Thrydwulf The following are letters between the newly elected Pablo of Mesh, and Martana of Heen, where both parties are attemtping to resolve some of the conflicts between the realms: The First Mediation The First Mediation Chancellor Pablo, I have to admit that I was actively wondering who would be the next chancellor of Mesh. For instance, you, Roland and some others are noblemen who I know to be men of their word and honour. Regrettably, I can also name a few noblemen of Mesh who I know not to be such at all. Therefore, it is good to see that you take Chancellor Danny's place, and not another. I must start by saying that I am pleasantly surprised by your first letter to all rulers. As I had hoped for, you immediately and without hesitation urged Heen to reconsider our stance and you proposed to solve the problems between our realms before any serious conflict erupts. Why does this come as a pleasant surprise? You must realize, this is the exact opposite of your predecessor's policy. Chancellor Danny namely restricted all his letters to a content, which was all closely related to provocations and further insults and ridicules that deteriorated the situation even more. For example, as I will try to stick to solid facts, I refer to you from a letter of Chancellor Danny, dating from 17 September: "I just wish some people would lighten up. Conflict isn't half as bad as some people make it out to be, I'm just trying to lighten the mood. I hope Queen Martana doesn't leave Mesh waiting too long though. I love how I make her blue heart boil with anger!" During this entire ‘Cold War’ –if you allow me to refer to this as such, as I do consider it such- not once did Heen receive an attempt from Chancellor Danny to rectify the situation. I received no ambassador to incite a mediation to solve the problem. Not one single private letter was ever exchanged to discus the situation and to seek for solutions. No attempts of negotiations were made when Heen clearly stated that we were serious. All this time, he never made any effort to fix the clearly broken situation. Luckily, now as you are chancellor, already in your first letter you addressed me with the intent of mending the damage that is the cause of this conflict. Signed, Martana Curs, Queen of Heen The Existing Situation The Existing Situation Dear Pablo, What is the existing situation according to you? What has Chancellor Danny told his council so far? I will tell you what the situation appears to me so far, during this Cold War. First of all, Heen made it very clear to all rulers that it would never engage into any hostile actions before the invasion had ended. From what I read from your message, as you speak of war during the invasion, I assume you were not aware of this. If you were aware of this, then I am happy to assure you that it was correct. Heen will not wage war on Mesh during the invasion. Second, you spoke of the ‘Mesh-Heen non-aggression pact’, found at and also formally called Heen/Soil Non-Transgression Pact with Mesh. I must clarify that this pact by no means prohibits a war to be waged between Mesh and Heen. There is only word of a mandatory neutrality between Heen and Mesh concerning wars of mutual interest in defence and/or aid of our allies. In other words, this pact acknowledges each other’s presence in a war of their allies, but it does not affect any possible war between the signatories themselves, unrelated to their allies. Which is an entirely different matter. Third, Heen recognizes Mesh during this invasion as a human ally, and we have offered multiple time to help you liberate your capital and other regions. However, instead of issuing a simple refusal, your general utterly deprecated Heen using various insults and swears, as he denigrated our sign of this good will to humanity as well. Therefore, let it be clear, Heen offered a helping hand, which was refused thrice.' No more. We had enough. To illustrate my point, with factual proof, I present to you a few excerpts of letters of General Tarajist of Mesh: “The fact is yer Dog on the throne has been eggin' on a war with Mesh since before she took the throne.” “You work for a devil an' a dog, Thrydwulf. Your realm is lead by villians.” Fourth, overly important, the feeling between Heen and Mesh so far, as it was shown in the ruler channel and perhaps not in the council. Harsh words about a possible war have been exchanged, as well as discussions that only lead to irritation and anger. Definitely, Heen had it is fair share in this. After all, there are always two sides to a conflict. However, due to lack of personal insight and many subjective factors, I can only describe the way Chancellor Danny come over to Heen, and not the other way around. I have experienced Chancellor Danny as a man who intended war with Heen to happen as soon as possible. At first, he tried to make Heen look like the bad side of this war, by innocently ignoring any of my accusations. When Heen said not to attack during the invasion, numerous times did he try to provoke me into starting the war sooner than the end of the invasion. Numerous times did he start or prolong discussions with insults and scorn that only worsened the situation. Numerous times did he ridicule with how weak Heen was and how he couldn’t wait for us to get squashed by Mesh’s great army and income. For instance, he mentioned his spies in Heen frequently, which is hardly improving the situation and only suggesting he is ready for war at any time. His lack of diplomatic sense such as performing the contrary of mediations and plain disdain towards Heen, during such a dangerous and fragile situation, is plainly offensive to Heen and immoral. This is the situation as it is now, on a diplomatic point of view. Signed, Martana Curs, Queen of Heen The Motives of Heen The Motives of Heen Dear Pablo, Indeed, the motives of Heen to wage a war upon Mesh. Despite Chancellor Danny’s disguise in which he repeatedly said that he wanted to know finally what Heen’s motives were for a war, he knew them already. Surely, with several spies in Heen, he couldn’t possibly have not known them, as all motives were publicly announced in entire Heen. Even more, he had read the Royal Pamphlet, which was in essence a very good summary of our motives. We were discontent with the fact that Mesh allowed convicted criminals of Heen, namely Tarajist and Kagurati, join their realm. Even more, you make one of them your general. You cannot blame us for feeling some breathing down our neck. We were appalled to hear that a plan to invade Heen had been executed by a group of determined noblemen under the leadership of Tarajist to invade Heen. Indeed, beyond the knowledge of you, Chancellor Pablo. At least I hope. The only reason that this plan wasn’t successful was because Heen coincidentally destroyed this invading force in Naraka and Mokut before they could enter our lands. We were disgruntled to hear that several spies were operative in our realm, passing through information to certain nobles in Mesh. I could give you their names, but these spies that are now back on our side wish to remain anonymous. We were dismayed to hear from Chancellor Danny, when Heen was invaded and ravaged by the undead, the words: “Rogue lands are for grabbing!” We were aggravated to hear Chancellor Danny continuously ridicule and laugh with the efforts of Heen to defend itself against the undead. His behaviour was much comparable to Hannibal when he spoke of Heen’s weak forces and incompetence. We were also shocked to learn that Chancellor Danny prohibited Heen to pursue the undead who had killed nearly a third of our population. Not that we were going to pursue them in the end, as we had agreed to let them leave peacefully, but the idea of Mesh harbouring yet another mortal enemy of Heen, but then even such a great and outrageously malicious one, was plainly shocking beyond normality. We were insulted when Chancellor Danny threatened to invade Heen at several occasions when he felt like it. For example, when he believed that Heen was withholding information from other rulers. For example, when an innocent priest entered his lands. For example, when the monsters invaded Mesh and he blindly blamed Heen. We were plainly insulted by his lack of abstention to the idea of a war. He seemed to enjoy toying with the idea and provoking us. We were disgusted by his lack of apt to negotiate and rebuild the broken situation. Instead of any of this, he and his general (recently) continued to insult us and ridicule us. I must surely be forgetting many things, but the main line through our motives is clear. Heen has been effectively bullied by threats, negligence, ridicules and insults for too long. But Heen is a realm with noblemen, not a child of any sort. We will fight back, even to a superior enemy like Mesh clearly is. Signed, Martana Curs, Queen of Heen A Possible Negotiation A Possible Negotiation Dear Pablo, Now that Heen is finally contacted with some good will and hope to restore the broken relations, we can finally work towards something other than war. Heen declares itself officially open to negotiations, which Chancellor Danny never attempted to start. To the opposite even. Of course, our terms will include mostly moral issues, none territorial or financial. Others will perhaps be juridical terms. If you are interested, you can contact me in private to discuss them, taking one big step away from a future war and for you, Pablo, a big step away from Chancellor Danny’s policy. Signed, Martana Curs, Queen of Heen

Past History 02 October 1007 Thrydwulf The article to the left needs a bit of an introduction. Many readers will have heard/seen some of the "animosity" between the realms of Heen and Mesh. During the invasion, comments were thrown out into the open that were neither human nor humane. Most of these feelings can be traced back to specific events that have taken place between a number of nobles on either side. Earliest back, was the rebellion of Joppo from Mesh. A handful of nobles currently in Heen, once called themselves a Jopponite. However, they joined the realm of Joppo after the rebellion had won. They fought a hopeless battle, and lost - most of them fleeing to Heen (the only realm out of the 3 most Northerm realms who had contacted them). Then came King Scions victory in uniting the desert lands. He had thoughts to take back Joppo, but made the safer choice of looking after the regions gained, and waiting for the population to be sustainable again, as many of the regions were totally destroyed during the brutal wars. Tarajist Balewind was then banned from Heen for breaking the Code of Nobility, in verbally assaulting council members, and making a disgrace of himself infront of his peers. This was seen by some as a mistake from the Arch Priest Medium at the time, but many also supported it. He fled to Mesh... The final stage in the build up to the "Cold War" was the accusations against the former Duke Kagurati, where he fled before a solution could be decided upon...to Mesh.