Abington Account/April2007

The War on Minas Ithil

Abington marched north against Minas Ithil, meeting token resistance from Falasan, Cagilan Empire and Minas Ithil in the regions of Chato, Lothruin and Lyton. A blunder in Lothruin then lead to the capture of an Abington noble and other losses, followed by additional minor skirmishes between stragglers of both sides. The Abington forces attacked and occupied Cheltenborne, before small Barony of Makar and Abington elements were defeated in Lyton. Allied skirmishes were won in Dunstoke and Cheltenborne, followed by a moderately significant Abington victory in Winham. A day later, the largest battle yet during Abington's participation in the war (14,000 CS versus 11,000 CS) was won in Crahandan.

However, the victories are accompanied by incidents of looting, some of which were ordered by the High Marshal as part of the military campaign, others, more bloodthirsty, were clearly not so ordered. Gauihu, the Arch Priest, has been a vocal dissident in the Royal Council against any form of looting, but at this time the law allowed him to punish only that type which was not ordered by the High Marshal ("looting without permission").

More news on the Minas Ithil Campaign as it progresses.

Armies Return Home, Punishments Issued

By now, most of the forces Abington sent north against Minas Ithil have returned to the homeland, victorious and weary. As well, a Marshal who ordered rape, pillage and burning was appropriately fined and warned for the crime.

Peace Treaty with Falasan

Her Majesty signed a formal peace with the realm of Falasan, based upon affirmations that Falasan appeared to be in a "fair and equal war" and Abington's entrance into it would shift the balanace of power too much.

Kronos Wants Out

Sources indicate that Kronos, King of Carelia, wants to leave the Southern Federation. Reasonings given to even the Queen have been vague and disturbing: because of "differing views" concerning other alliances, because "we don't need a federation to keep us together," to "concentrate on current wars." Later reports concluded that Carelia, or at least Kronos, wishes to be friendlier with the Cagilan Empire and Darka.

A few days later, it became clear that Kronos wanted to ally itself with Minas Ithil but somehow keep an alliance with Abington and Redspan - this in part of some plan he has involving a "profit" and an "ace up his sleeve," which he didn't expound on. Needless to say, the government's position regarding these developments is one of deep concern.

Evgenism, Darkanism Outlawed

After a proposal by Kronos to have Evgenism become the official state religion for Abington, the Arch Priest and the Queen issued an edict outlawing that religion as well as the state religion of Darka, citing reasons of national security. It seems that there is a new policy in which foreign, state-sanctioned or state-centered religions will not be allowed in Abington, even though Abington herself has no official religion.

Carelia Declares War!

Kronos, ignoring all objections by the Crown, broke the Federation and declared war on Redspan and Abington. This betrayal, in combination with expressed desires to ally with Abington's enemies, is almost certainly going to have an ugly end.

The judges of Carelia and Abington have signed a prisoner treaty, and there are rumors of battle preparations taking place on both sides. Discussions amongst the rulers and common nobles alike are heated. The winds of change are blowing.